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Home Page > Behind The Maps > Population Map > Contributors > Development and Contributors
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More About the Population Map's Development, the
Cartographers and Contributors
The Population Map shows the world in an entirely new
light! See where the human beings of the world live, and how
many are where. The map image is startling, provocative and
BEAUTIFUL. Each country is shown proportional to its
population. The map presents people, not territory. Each
square of the grid on the map represents a million people.
From the perspective of population, China is the biggest
country in the world! India is not far behind. For a real
shock, compare Indonesia with the United States. This map
shows how the USA is only a small part of the whole, 4.5% or
less than one-twentieth of the Earth's humans. The main map
is enhanced by a series of startling and informative images
at the bottom: Population, by continent, throughout human
history. This series of "snapshot" images shows the people,
and where they were at (1) 100,000 years ago, (2) at the
time of the birth of Christ, (3) at 1650 AD, (4) at 1900 AD,
and includes (5) population projections for the year 2150.
There is also a map of population density showing where
there are more than 30 people per square mile. In contrast
to the usual continents of land, this density image shows
the continents and islands of humankind!
How the Population Map was created:
This unique view of the world's people was created by an
editorial team which included cartographers, population
experts, graphic designers, GIS specialists, as well as
human rights, human resources, and political activists. This
is map that shows Tibet as a distinct and disputed
territory, despite the lack of UN recognition. Tibet was a
separate independent and sovereign nation prior to its
invasion and subsequent occupation by the People's Republic
of China. This map also recognizes the existence of the
three million people now living in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank. It allows the reader to compare the land (using
the Hobo-Dyer equal area projection), with the people (and
where they live), along with tracking trends over the course
of human history (from 100,000 BC to projections for the
year 2150).
Behind The Scenes…
The People Behind The Map
Clicking on the links below will provide an eye-opening
view of how each of the contributors struggled with the
issues and dilemmas that came up, as each person conducted
the research and constructed the resulting images. As a
publisher of innovative world images, ODT has a commitment
to make the developmental process transparent…to let
customers “see” through the map to the ethical and values
decisions BEHIND the map. Map creation is not a sterile,
hands-off, “objective” process. The process by which the
decisions are made can be as fascinating as the final image
that is published. Each contributor shares his/her thoughts
and process as they worked towards the goal of the completed
map.
Paul Breding
Cartographer
Biography and Methodology
Paul Breding has a BA in Geography from the University of
Colorado, and an MS in Geography from the University of
South Carolina. His graduate work was primarily focused on
the role of cartograms in K-12 Geography curriculums. Since
then, he has worked as a Cartographer for educational
publisher Nystrom, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and currently
works for the Chicago Tribune.
 Denis Wood
Social Scientist & Author
Denis Wood provided editorial guidance on all phases of
this project. His insights, analysis and suggestions were
critical to the integration of information (both data and
images) from the three other cartographers. Perhaps the best
way to understand his contributions is to read the letter he
wrote to editor Bob Abramms in August 2004. You will note on
the finished map that not all of Denis' advice was accepted.
 Fred Pearce
Historical & Projected Population Research
Fred Pearce is a freelance writer on environment,
development and demographic issues from London, England. He
is environment consultant of New Scientist magazine and
reckons he has reported from 54 countries over the past 15
years. His recent US outlets include the Boston Globe and
Foreign Policy. His latest book, "Keepers of the Spring:
Reclaiming our Water in the Age of Globalization" was
published by Island Press in November 2004.
Bill Yoder
GIS Cartographer
Thumbnail Images #2-7
Bill Yoder received a Bachelor of Science in
environmental resources and a Master of Science in applied
biological sciences. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at
Arizona State University in Environmental Design and
Planning program, working on development of site potential
models using advanced technologies (GIS, remote sensing, and
spatial statistics).
 Bob Abramms
Project Director
Bob Abramms is the founder of ODT, Inc in Amherst,
Massachusetts
Radio Interview on Environmental Network News - 12min.
Web clip of Bob’s video
 Mona Naimark
Graphic Design Consultant
Mona Naimark is a visual artist who paints silks and
watercolors. She lives in the USA and in Guatemala. When she
is in the USA, she has been an important contributor to ODT
projects, in terms of design, production, and marketing. She
used her talents in graphic design to provide editorial
guidance to this project.
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