This rendering of NYC made of LEGOS comes from the talented designer J.R. Schmidt. It is available in several different print sizes.
A Map to Explore all the Rivers in the US
Google engineer Nelson Minar’s river map of the continental US has a number of explorable vector-based versions and fully detailed renderings on Flickr.
You can read the technical details on his blog.
Explore the map
Stylish Metro Maps of World Cities
These gorgeous and stylish metro maps for world cities look to not only display location and distance, but time and direction as well. The project from architect Jug Cerovic looks at the layouts of the world's major cities' metro system, but they are beautiful enough to hang on your wall. I want to collect all of the cities I've visited. What a gallery that would make.
Fun and Delicious Food Maps by Henry Hargreaves and Caitlin Levin
New Zealand artist Henry Hargreaves American stylist Caitlin Levin created these well styled maps out of foods that are in some way connected with the lands they represent.
Henry:
"These maps show how food has traveled the globe - transforming and becoming a part of the cultural identity of that place. Who doesn't know the saying 'throw some shrimp on the barbie' and not think of Australia? Who goes to France without eating bread and cheese? And who makes a Brazilian caipirinha without a fistful of limes?
"These maps are a playful representation of our interpretation of food from around the world, painstakingly created with real unadulterated food. This project speaks to the universality of how food unites people, brings us together and starts conversation - just as we hope these beautiful maps will do too."
See also
Human Geographies: Illustrations by Ed Fairburn
A freelance artist from the UK, Ed Fairburn uses maps like canvas and makes the tight tangle of rivers, roads and shorelines to heighten the impact of the invisible emotional landscapes the faces stream.
He explains: “I paint, draw and construct using a flexible range of tangible media across a wide range of surfaces and contexts, allowing my practice to exist among various disciplines. The work I produce is largely self-directed, allowing me to explore a wealth of ideas and concepts which need to be released.”
via KoiKoiKoi