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More Fun with Maps

Here's a map that purports to show how Chicagoans view the Midwest and beyond. Using "The Klan" to describe the Southeast is a novel touch but could just as easily be used to describe southern Indiana.

We're more interested by what's missing from this map. Like cheese in Wisconsin; Lutherans in Minnesota; tornadoes across Iowa and Missouri; a large bonfire for Detroit; open wheel race cars for Indianapolis; and "Downstate" to describe the rest of Illinois.

We should have been a cartographer. Maybe in the next life.

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Comments [rss]

  • snoopoz
    Having read the comment section in the Tribune, I think the Klan is alive and well right here in Chicago.
  • sat3911
    It isn't the klan.  It's Nazis.  Illinois Nazis.
  • oonagh1
    This map must've been created by a suburbanite because any good Chicagoan knows that civilization is only found within city proper; Evanston and Oak Park are the exceptions which prove the rule.
  • God, not all of Indiana is a black hole. They forgot the Amish people and Indianapolis. :)
  • A novel try. Could be better.
  • Actually, anything West of Chicago could be noted as "Iowa" as far as my Chicago friends are concerned. Dammit people Elgin isn't that far out ...
  • jen
    Central Illinois native here and I think "Here Be Dragons" sums up Downstate quite nicely.
  • ChicagoD
    The hand thing is how Michiganders explain where in the state they are from.

    Most of Wisconsin and Harbor Country in Michigan should be "vacation."

    Since sooooo many Chicagoans went to Big 10 schools they should all probably be marked with something like "home" except for Illinois and Northwestern.

    Nobody in Chicago would split "the South" from "the Klan" if it came to that.

    No Chicagoan thinks "civilization" goes that far outside the city limits.

    Northern Indiana should have some reference to speeding tickets. Everyone gets them there.

    Other than that, shitty map!
  • As someone that grew up in Southern Indiana, I think black hole, klan or meth labs all work just fine for that region.
  • slickpoetry
    Saw this yesterday, and thought it could've been a lot funnier.

    Why is the majority of Missouri noted as "Crime"? I didn't know that the countryside of MO had that rep. Unless they're just talking about methlabs.

    Also, I don't get the label for Detroit. Won't shut up about their hands. Eh?? Can someone give me a clue?
  • fireontiger
    "Crime" refers to St. Louis, I think.

    Regarding people who won't shut up about their hands - in my experience, people from Michigan like to indicate where they live in the state by pointing it out on their hand, using the hand as the state of Michigan - see the hand shape? Very clever, eh?
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