The "best of 2012" lists are just starting to spread and, already, one of the most unique collections we've come across is Caitlin Dempsey's look at the year's most interesting maps. You don't have to be a cartographer to enjoy these visualizations.
From a hypnotic respresentation of the raw power of nature to a meticulously hand-crafted geography of the United States, Dempsey's collection of the most "fascinating maps and GIS data visualizations that caught the public’s attention this year," covers a wide range of technologies, topics, and techniques.
Notable maps include the sliding scale population density of the world created by Derek Watkins and the dynamic wind map created by Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg of the site HINT.FM. The wind map was created by the leaders of Google’s “Big Picture” visualization research group as a personal art project. "The artists note on their site, 'We invent new ways for people to think and talk about data' and this wind map certainly achieved that," adds Dempsey.
FULL STORY: Six of this Year’s Most Interesting Maps

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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