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December 5, 2007
Population Maps for Google Earth
The Encyclopedia of Earth has an article with information about scientific research on anthropogenic biomes which are defined as:
Anthropogenic biomes describe globally-significant ecological patterns within the terrestrial biosphere caused by sustained direct human interaction with ecosystems, including agriculture, urbanization, forestry and other land uses. ...humans have fundamentally altered global patterns of ecosystem form, process, and biodiversity, anthropogenic biomes provide a contemporary view of the terrestrial biosphere in its human-altered form.
More importantly, the article shares a anthropogenic biomes world map showing the interaction of human population with the natural systems around them. The map is best viewed in Google Earh here 
. It uses super overlays so you can see more detail as you zoom in closer (down to about 600 miles). The map is colored by biome types explained in the legend. The map is also available in Google Maps and Virtual Earth. This is a really interesting map! Thanks to GEB reader Salinga, who forwarded this map and a link to an article about it at Spiegel online (German).
Another interesting population density map overlay was created and posted at the GEC by Gerardo64 two years ago.
Both of these maps are excellent ways to get a better understanding of how humans are spread around the planet. I've seen the numbers for India and China, but these maps really illustrate just how far population growth there has gone.
Posted by FrankTaylor at December 5, 2007 8:58 AM
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Comments
Posted by: BeerGraphicsGuy at March 22, 2009 11:54 PM
Are there any regional population density maps? Per country or per even smaller areas within countries?
These are the most rare maps in the World.
Posted by: Travel Planner at December 12, 2009 6:44 AM
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The Anthropogenic Biomes overlay got stuck (imbedded?) in my install of Google Earth and won't let go. It obscures everything else at all magnifications. How do I get rid of it once and for all?