Map 71

Click here for a full-size version of this week’s map. Click here for a close-up that will help you see Europe more clearly.

This map is a dot map of the world. (Do you need a refresher on what a dot map is? Visit our “Basics” page for a quick primer.) The resolution on this week’s map is pretty high, plus we gave you a close-up of one of the more interesting areas. You should be able to tell pretty clearly where the dots are placed—which is useful, because there are a few particular dots that will tell you a lot. As always, your job is to figure out what this dot map represents.

Stumped? Check back Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for hints about where to focus your investigation. The answer will be posted on Monday, January 8, 2018. Good luck!

Wednesday’s hint: The most recent dot to be added to this map is in Porto Alegre, Brazil. It has been there since this past summer.

Thursday’s hint: Nearly every country on this map has a dot in its capital city.

Friday’s hint: The best way to solve this map is to focus on the countries that don’t have any dots. These countries can be divided into several different categories. First, you have Iran and North Korea, two countries that have had antagonistic relationships with many Western countries. Second, you have Libya and Somalia, two countries that have been rocked by ongoing conflicts. Then there’s Bhutan, a country that remains very isolate. You also have a lot of very small countries that are not represented on this map. Finally, there are no dots in the U.S.—but that’s a very different situation from the other countries with no dots!

Saturday’s hint: If you look closely in the bottom right part of the close-up map of Europe, you’ll see that the dot in Israel is in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem. That dot has been in the news a lot lately—and it may be on the move soon.

Answer: Click here to see an explanation of the answer to this week’s map question.

Next map: Click here to try out our newest map question.