https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=173.245.54.58&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T12:43:59ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1408:_March_of_the_Penguins&diff=122763Talk:1408: March of the Penguins2016-07-02T02:25:29Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
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<div>Isn't it Danish not Megan? [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.195|141.101.99.195]] 05:30, 15 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
: No, Danish has longer hair. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.47|108.162.245.47]] 05:37, 15 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
That is a good point on the point for "Is it Danish, or Megan?", but Danish would have probably helped Black Hat kill the penguins. Another thing to add is Danish won't react like that, but Megan would be more likely.<br />
-Swaphero<br />
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: Also, if it were Danish, she would have a good come back for black hat. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.108|108.162.216.108]] 13:54, 15 August 2014 (UTC)BK<br />
<br />
Would Movie Ages (http://www.xkcd.com/891) be just as pertinent, if not more so, than Timeghost? Should we include a reference to it in the explanation? [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.170|173.245.54.170]] 14:08, 15 August 2014 (UTC)DBrak<br />
: Good idea. I think we should, so I've included that reference now.<br />--[[User:Das-g|Das-g]] ([[User talk:Das-g|talk]]) 14:42, 15 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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This is totally off-topic, but I can't help myself. I remember reading somewhere that the film was made by a French team (I think) and they realized they had a hit on their hands. But when they were negotating with a distributor for the USA market that it was demanded that all reference to the penguins' amazing behavior being due to their evolutionary development had to be removed. "Evolution" was a dirty word for the USA market. --[[User:RenniePet|RenniePet]] ([[User talk:RenniePet|talk]]) 22:28, 15 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
:I don't think RenniePet's comment is off-topic; the same audience that they deleted "Evolution" for used it as an example for family values and ID - is the "Oh God" dialog an allusion to whether Black Hat been playing God? --[[User:FractalgeekUK|FractalgeekUK]] ([[User talk:FractalgeekUK|talk]]) 00:17, 16 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
::I found a NY Times article on the evolution point: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/13/science/13peng.html?_r=0&pagewanted=print [[Special:Contributions/173.245.52.99|173.245.52.99]] 01:23, 17 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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A thought: possibly at least partially inspired by much-repeated note about current events as of the time of writing -- with Lauren Bacall's death, all the people mentioned in Madonna's Vogue are dead. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.52.215|173.245.52.215]] 03:33, 18 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Finally, we get some Black Hat antics! Have you noticed that Randall has lately done less Black Hat comics? Or is just me?<br />
[[Special:Contributions/173.245.48.90|173.245.48.90]] 20:43, 18 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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Am I missing something? Nobody seems to ask WHY Black Hat apparently killed the penguins or even HOW (?!) {{unsigned ip|141.101.98.251}}</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1697:_Intervocalic_Fortition&diff=122301Talk:1697: Intervocalic Fortition2016-06-23T07:45:01Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
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<div><!--Please sign your posts with ~~~~--><br />
The idea, stated in the alt-text, that "meh" was created by writers of "The Simpsons", is incorrect. "The Simpsons", however, was responsible for widely popularizing it. See [http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2013/09/06/meh_etymology_tracing_the_yiddish_word_from_leo_rosten_to_auden_to_the_simpsons.html] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meh] [[User:Dubaaron|Dubaaron]] ([[User talk:Dubaaron|talk]]) 04:31, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Is it really saying that ''The Simpsons'' created the word? All it says is that it introduced the word, which does not seem to imply that it didn't exist before. If I introduce a friend of mine to another person, I most likely did not just create that other person, and there is no reason to believe that it should be any different for words.[[User:Mulan15262|Mulan15262]] ([[User talk:Mulan15262|talk]]) 13:24, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
::I don't think that "writers on The Simpsons decided to mess with future linguists" means "writers of The Simpsons introduced the word". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.13|108.162.221.13]] 14:25, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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"The" ends in a lax vowel, and it's the most ubiquitous word in the language, so that rule is wrong. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.10|108.162.221.10]] 04:45, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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: I've always seen "lax vowel" referring to full (unreduced) vowels. When unstressed, the vowel in "the" is reduced (/ðə/), and when stressed it's tense (/ði:/). [[Special:Contributions/188.114.109.66|188.114.109.66]] 05:08, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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:: Furthermore, the lax vowel is only used if 'the' is followed by another syllable, and so the utterance will not be lax-vowel-final. {{unsigned ip|162.158.2.219}}<br />
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::: How does that matter? The rule as stated was about the ending of words, not of utterances. [[User:Huttarl|Huttarl]] ([[User talk:Huttarl|talk]]) 19:21, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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::::Rules exists in reality, not as statements made by mathematicians or Randall. The actual rule is '' English doesn't allow utterances to end in a lax vowel''. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.13|108.162.221.13]] 22:55, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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::::: But isn't "meh" an utterance in and of itself, and therefore a violation of that rule anyway? [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 07:45, 23 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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:::What the? That can't be right... {{unsigned ip|162.158.83.102}}<br />
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Questions. Is this happening in (American) English? is "adverb" becoming /adferb/. Any other examples?[[User:Zeimusu|Zeimusu]] ([[User talk:Zeimusu|talk]]) 05:55, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
: I scanned some 'v' words and didn't see much. A plural of [http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/000293.html dwarf] discussion; similarly wharf splits into both wharfs and wharves. 'Halving' might benefit in the sense that the 'l' is silent so it sounds like 'having' and might be more clear as 'halfing'. I've also noticed a smattering of YouTubers writing "could of/should of" instead of contracting 'have', i.e, "could've/should've". [[User:Elvenivle|Elvenivle]] ([[User talk:Elvenivle|talk]]) 06:50, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
::The pronunciation of both ''of'' and ''&rsquo;ve'' is /əv/. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.13|108.162.221.13]] 13:35, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
:No, I don't think this is really happening. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.77|141.101.98.77]] 11:22, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
:"Adverb" doesn't have an intervocalic "v". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.13|108.162.221.13]] 14:21, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
::No, but the prank as stated in the comic "V's in the middle of words" applies to "adverb". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.178|108.162.237.178]] 15:34, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Yes, [[1677|absolutely]]. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.220|108.162.237.220]] 19:38, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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It's quite surprising to see Randall misusing apostrophes to form plurals (i.e. V's and F's instead of the correct Vs and Fs).&nbsp; &ndash; [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.41|141.101.98.41]] 19:36, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
:That's one of those gray/grey areas where the "rules" for apostrophes aren't firmly in place. Typographically, the apostrophe is (often) used to form plurals of lower case letters ("i's" and "m's" for clarity over "is" and "ms") and this exception tends to get carried over to capital letters, numbers, and symbols though the need for insuring clarity is reduced. It becomes a matter for style manuals rather than grammar manuals: do you follow the exception -- or the exception to the exception?[[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.98|108.162.221.98]] 21:07, 22 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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If they can't see through such transparent trickery, they must not be very cunning linguists. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.216.102|108.162.216.102]] 02:49, 23 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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If one applies this pronunciation to the title of comic, it becomes "Interfocalic fortition". Could this have any real meaning in optics, between lenses and their foci? [[Special:Contributions/141.101.81.73|141.101.81.73]] 03:30, 23 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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Maybe the mock German accent angle should be mentioned? [[User:Ehusmark|EHusmark]] ([[User talk:Ehusmark|talk]]) 07:34, 23 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Yes, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that in German and dutch the V is always pronounced as F. And the V sound only comes into these languages trough W, which is not called double U but double V. Since I'm not from either country I would prefer someone with more knowledge about this to make the note. But it seems relevant for the explanation to me... --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 07:36, 23 June 2016 (UTC)<br />
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Someone has written as an example: ''"Luffing" instead of loving'' where it would be more correct to write lofing according to the rule of the comic... Any reason for this "error" or should it just be corrected? --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 07:36, 23 June 2016 (UTC)</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=758:_Raptor_Fences&diff=121969758: Raptor Fences2016-06-15T13:52:43Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 758<br />
| date = June 25, 2010<br />
| title = Raptor Fences<br />
| image = raptor_fences.png<br />
| titletext = If at least one person has a nightmare about being swarmed by hundreds of mouse-sized dromaeosaurids, my work will have been done.<br />
}}<br />
[[File:Vraptor-scale.png|thumb|upright=1.5| Velociraptors were only about 50 centimeters in height. (from Wikimedia Commons)]]<br />
[[File:Velociraptor_dinoguy2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Artist's impression of a feathered velociraptor (from Wikimedia Commons)]]<br />
==Explanation==<br />
In the film ''{{w|Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park}},'' the protagonists are menaced (some fatally) by carnivorous dinosaurs, including very large {{w|Velociraptor|velociraptors}}, which are a genus of {{w|dromaeosaurid}}. In this film the dinosaurs had been recreated via the sampling of ancient DNA recovered, primarily, from the stomachs of mosquitoes trapped in amber (fossilized tree sap).<br />
<br />
Cueball is holding a lit cigarette, recalling the role of chain-smoking John "Ray" Arnold, the Chief Engineer of Jurassic Park, played by {{w|Samuel L. Jackson}}. He is reporting that the (veloci)raptors have escaped from their enclosure, but nobody seems overly concerned by this; they do not represent a danger. Apparently, the fear of being hunted by dinosaurs is greatly reduced if they have been genetically engineered to be small enough to gather up with a broom and dustpan.<br />
<br />
The "gene for extreme dwarfism" may also be a reference to the "Ender's Game" series, which has previously been referenced in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]], [[304: Nighttime Stories]], and [[241: Battle Room]]. In the parallel book to "Ender's Game", "Ender's shadow", the main character has had the gene for extreme dwarfism activated on himself as an infant.<br />
<br />
Note that while growth is dependent on genes, it is extremely unlikely that any kind of genetic manipulation could reduce an animal in size by the factor of approximately 10,000 that is implied here. But perhaps, no less unlikely than being aautoriseble to recreate the dinosaurs at all in the first place. People seem ready to ascribe almost limitless powers to DNA and genetic engineering, but there are many practical constraints.<br />
<br />
In reality, velociraptors were only about 500 centimeters in height. It is also believed that they were covered in feathers. Together, these factors would render them less than terrifying. However, velociraptors as represented in Jurassic Park is the image that has persisted. <br />
<br />
The title text suggests that even very small dinosaurs could be terrifying to some, if they imagined a huge number of them. The author would be pleased if this was the case.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball checks a computer terminal while a friend is running off in the opposite direction.]<br />
:Cueball: The raptor fences are down. They're loose.<br />
:Friend: I'll get a broom and dustpan.<br />
<br />
:Jurassic Park got a lot less scary when the researchers discovered they could activate the gene for extreme dwarfism.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Biology]]<br />
[[Category:Velociraptors]]<br />
[[Category:Jurassic Park]]</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1212661688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T14:08:35Z<p>173.245.54.58: Specified the game too.</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
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*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic applies to a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
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The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
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There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive (Go to 19)<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+ (Go to ##)<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''Note:''' the chart splits here into three divisions, each from a choice in question 1. The Neither Division will attempt to use other indicators to sort maps into one of the other two divisions or branches thereof, or, after 5 failures to find a country, conclude that the "map" in question is not a political map and proceed to find out what it is (the Not a Political Map Branch). The Constantinople and Istanbul Divisions are linear except where the Neither Division joins them as stated above.<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Constantinople Division<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (from 1)<br />
1299 - 1922 (from 19 in the Neither Division)<br />
(from 24 in the Neither Division)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, although South Africa was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
| The region was named {{w|Rhodesia_(region)|"Rhodesia"}} by the British South Africa Company in 1895. An {{w|Rhodesia|unrecognised state}} (1965-79) and a {{w|Southern_Rhodesia|colony}} (1923-80 on-and-off) also born this name, but they are both outside the Prior Date Range.<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: 1895-<br />
* Yes: 1895+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868-95 (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: 1895 - 1910 (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
| {{w|Bolivia}} lost its coastal territory to Chlie in the {{w|War of the Pacific}}, ceding Antofagasta in the {{w|Treaty of Valparaiso}} in 1884.<br />
| 1868-95<br />
|<br />
* No: 1825-84<br />
* Yes: 1884+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868-84 (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: 1884-95 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
| In 1873, the cities of {{w|Buda}} and {{w|Pest,_Hungary|Pest}} joined together to form the city of {{w|Budapest}}.<br />
| 1868-84<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: 1247 - 1873<br />
* Budapest: 1873+<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: 1868-73 (stated in comic as 1868-72) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: 1873-84 (stated in comic as 1873-83) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
| {{w|Norway}} was ceded to Sweden in 1814, from which it separated in 1905.<br />
| 1895 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1814 - 1905<br />
* No: 1814- or 1905+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1895-1905 (Stated in comic as 1896-1905) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: 1905-10 (Stated in comic as 1906-09) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
| {{w|Austria-Hungary}} formed in 1867 and dissolved in 1918.<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1867-1918<br />
* No: 1918+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1910-18 (Go to 17)<br />
* No: 1918-28 (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
| {{w|Albania}} declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.<br />
| 1910-18 <br />
|<br />
* No: 1912-<br />
* Yes: 1912+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-12 ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1912-18 (stated in comic as 1913-18) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 18<br />
| '''Leningrad?'''<br />
| {{w|Saint Petersburg}} was known as Leningrad between 1924 and 1991.<br />
| 1918-28<br />
|<br />
* No: 1924- or 1991+<br />
* Yes: 1924-91<br />
|<br />
* No: 1918-24 (stated in comic as 1919-23) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1924-28 (stated in comic as 1924-29) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Neither Division<br />
|-<br />
! 19<br />
| '''Does the Ottoman Empire exist?'''<br />
| The {{w|Ottoman Empire}} was founded in 1299, and defeated and dissolved on November 1, 1922 when the sultanate was abolished.<br />
| Inconclusive<br />
| <br />
* Yes: 1299-1922<br />
* No: 1299- or 1922+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1299-1922 (Go to 2 in the Constantinople Division)<br />
* No: 1299- or 1922+ (Go to 20)<br />
|-<br />
! 20<br />
| '''The Soviet Union?'''<br />
| The {{w|Soviet Union}} is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from December 28, 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up.<br />
''Note:'' This question is the same as question ## in the Istanbul Division, but because there a Prior Date Range of 1928+ has already been established by the presense of Istanbul, we need one more question to determine whether we are within the range of 1928+.<br />
| 1299- or 1922+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1922-91<br />
* No: 1922- or 1991+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1922-91 (Go to 21)<br />
* No: 1299- or 1922 (November 1 - December 28) or 1991+ (Go to 22)<br />
|-<br />
! 21<br />
| '''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
| The kingdom of {{w|Saudi Arabia}} was founded in 1932.<br />
| 1922-91<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1932+<br />
* No: 1932-<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1932-91 (Go to ## in the Istanbul Division)<br />
* No: 1922-32 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 22<br />
| '''North Korea?'''<br />
| The Korean Peninsula was divided into two regions, the north of which would be known as {{w|North Korea}}, at the end of World War II in 1945.<br />
| 1299- or 1922 (November 1 - December 28) or 1991+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1945+<br />
* No: 1945-<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1991+ (Go to ## in the Istanbul Division)<br />
* No: 1299- or 1922 (November 1 - December 28) (Go to 23)<br />
|-<br />
! 23<br />
| '''Saint Trimble's Island'''<br />
| Since [[Randall]] just made up this place, it is impossible that a map would include it.<br />
| 1299- or 1922 (November 1 - December 28)<br />
|<br />
* No: inconclusive<br />
* Yes: impossible<br />
|<br />
* No: 1299- or 1922 (November 1 - December 28) (Go to 24)<br />
* Yes: impossible ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 24<br />
| '''Is Jan Mayen part of the kingdom of Norway?'''<br />
| Jurisdiction over the island of {{w|Jan Mayen}} was given to Norway around 1920, and it officially joined in 1930.<br/><br/>'''Note:''' Strictly speaking, it should be almost impossible to answer "Yes" to this question - the Ottoman Empire existed until 1922, the Soviet Union existed from 1922 to 1991, and North Korea from 1945 onwards, so by answering "No" to the previous three questions, the user has ruled out the entire period during which Norway has officially owned Jan Mayen, and almost the entire period it controlled it bar an extremely slim sliver of time between November 1, 1922 to December 28, 1922. The following questions ignore the previous ones (East Germany only existed at the same time as the USSR, and Pakistan was founded later than North Korea, so both should have already been excluded) - essentially, the Jan Mayen question reboots the test.<br />
| 1299- or 1922 (November 1 - December 28)<br />
|<br />
* Not yet: prior to 1930<br />
* What?: Not a political map<br />
* Yes: 1930+<br />
|<br />
* Not yet: (Go to 2 in the Constantinople Division)<br />
* What?: (Go to 25)<br />
* Yes: (Go to ## in the Istanbul Division)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Not a Political Map Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 26<br />
| '''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
| At this point it is clear that the map in question is not a political map from any time. Therefore the comic tries to determine whether it is a map of the Earth at all by asking if the continents are there.<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: map of the Earth<br />
* No: not a map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: map of the Earth (Go to 27)<br />
* No: not a map of the Earth (Go to 33)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Topograpical Map / Satellite Image Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 27<br />
| '''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.'''<br />
| A map of the Earth that does not label political regions must be a topological map; or, it can be a satellite image of the Earth.<br />
| Map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes, that's it: topograpical map or satellite image of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes, that's it: topograpical map or satellite image of the Earth (Go to 28)<br />
|-<br />
! 28<br />
| '''Is Lake Chad missing?'''<br />
| {{w|Lake Chad}} lost 3/4 of its area in the 1970s, becoming too small to be included in a map or pitcure of the Earth.<br />
| Topograpical map or satellite image of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* No: 1970s-<br />
* Yes: 1970s+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1970s- (Go to 29)<br />
* Yes: 1970s+ (Go to 32)<br />
|-<br />
! 29<br />
| '''How far east do the American prairies reach?'''<br />
| As settlers made their way west, the prairie land in the {{w|Great Plains}} region was steadily replaced by farmland and ranches. By the 1920s, most of the land had been converted to agricultural use, and the last of the prairie was largely obliterated by the {{w|Dust Bowl}}s in the 1930s. The dividing lines correspond roughly to the three types of prairie: {{w|tallgrass prairie}} grew between the Mississippi and Indiana, {{w|mixed grass prairie}} covered Nebraska and other states on the {{w|100th meridian west}}, and {{w|shortgrass prairie}} covered the remaining area east of the Rocky Mountains. There's some overlap in the dates, since it's fairly arbitrary where you draw the line between prairies and plains.<br />
<br />
| 1970s-<br />
|<br />
* Indiana: Before 1830<br />
* The Mississippi: 1830 - 1880s<br />
* Nebraska: 1860s - 1910s<br />
* What prairies?: 1920s+<br />
|<br />
* Indiana: Before 1830 ('''Stop''')<br />
* The Mississippi: 1830 - 80s ('''Stop''')<br />
* Nebraska: 1860s - 1910s (Go to 30)<br />
* What prairies?: 1920s - 1970s (Go to 31)<br />
|-<br />
! 30<br />
| '''Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)'''<br />
| This is {{w|Salton Sea}}, a previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
| 1860s - 1910s<br />
|<br />
* No: before 1905<br />
* Yes: 1905+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1860s - 1900s ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1910s ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 31<br />
| '''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)'''<br />
| {{w|Lake Volta}}, formed by the {{w|Akosombo Dam}} which was built in the 1960s<br />
| 1920s - 1970s<br />
|<br />
* No: before 1960s<br />
* Yes: 1960s+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1920s - 50s ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1960s - 70s ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 32<br />
| '''Is the Aral Sea missing?'''<br />
| Shrinking since the 1930s, the {{w|Aral Sea}} would be too small to be on maps or images of the Earth by the 2000s.<br />
| 1970s+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1990s-<br />
* Yes: 2000s+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1970s-90s ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 2000s+ ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | ''Topograpical Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ends''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Fictional Map / Non-Map Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 33<br />
| '''Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?'''<br />
| The rivers {{w|List_of_Middle-earth_rivers#Sirion|Sirion}} and {{w|Anduin}} are part of {{w|Middle-earth|Middle Earth}}, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books.<br />
| Not a map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: map of Middle Earth<br />
* No: inconclusive<br />
|<br />
* Yes: map of Middle Earth (Go to 34)<br />
* No: not a map of the Earth (Go to 38)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Middle Earth Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 34<br />
| '''Mordor?'''<br />
| {{w|Mordor}} is the base of operations of {{w|Sauron}}, who settled there c. 1000 in the {{w|Second Age}} (which lasted for 3,441 years).<br />
| Map of Middle Earth<br />
|<br />
* No: S.A. c. 1000-<br />
* Yes: S.A. c. 1000+<br />
|<br />
* No: S.A. c. 1000- (Go to 35)<br />
* Yes: S.A. c. 1000+ (Go to 36)<br />
|-<br />
! 35<br />
| '''Beleriand?'''<br />
| {{w|Beleriand}} was broken in the {{w|War of Wrath}} in the year 583 in the {{w|Years of the Sun}} in the {{w|First Age}} The First Age itself ran for 450 Valian Years and 590 Years of the Sun, adding up to between 5,023 and 65,390 Years of the Sun, depending on the conversion factor used ({{w|J. R. R. Tolkien}} has given several during the years). Note that Randall has appearantly ignored the time before the First Age (4,550 Valian Years).<br />
| S.A. c. 1000-<br />
|<br />
* Yes: Y.S. 583 First Age-<br />
* No: Y.S. 583 First Age+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: Y.S. 583 First Age- (stated in comic as First Age) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: Y.S. 583 First Age - S.A. c. 1000 (stated in comic as early Second Age) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 36<br />
| '''Númenor?'''<br />
| The island of {{w|Númenor}} was raised from the sea at the start of the Second Age. It sank back into the sea in 3319 in the Second Age, as the formerly flat Earth was made into a globe.<br />
| S.A. c. 1000+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: S.A. 1 - 3319<br />
* No: First Age- or S.A. 3319+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: S.A. c. 1000 - 3319 (stated in comic as late Second Age) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: S.A. 3319+ (Go to 37)<br />
|-<br />
! 37<br />
| '''The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...'''<br />
| The forest {{w|Mirkwood}} was called Greenwood the Great from its discovery by the Elves c. V.Y. 4620 in the First Age to 1050 in the {{w|Third Age}} when the shadow of Sauron fell upon it and it was renamed. It was cleansed on 'March' 28, 3019 in the Third Age (which ran for 3,021 years), after which it is called the Wood of Greenleaves. Note that Randall ignores the Fifth Age and onwards; although Tolkien said that the present day is about the end of the Sixth Age or the beginning of the Seventh, nothing is written about these later Ages.<br />
| S.A. 3319+<br />
|<br />
* Greenwood the Great: c. V.Y. 4620 - T.A. 1050<br />
* Mirkwood: T.A. 1050 - 3019-03-28<br />
* The Wood of Greenleaves: T.A. 3019-03-28+<br />
|<br />
* Greenwood the Great: S.A. 3319 - T.A. 1050 (stated in comic as early Third Age) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Mirkwood: T.A. 1050 - 3019-03-28 (stated in comic as Late Third Age) ('''Stop''')<br />
* The Wood of Greenleaves: T.A. 3019-03-28+ (stated in comic as Fourth Age) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | ''Middle Earth Subbranch ends''<br />
|-<br />
! 38<br />
| '''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
| {{w|Cair Paravel}} is the fictional castle where the Kings and Queens of Narnia rule in ''{{w|The Chronicles of Narnia}}''.<br />
| Not a map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: map of Narnia<br />
* No: inconclusive<br />
|<br />
* Yes: map of Narnia (Go to 39)<br />
* No: not a map of the Earth (Go to 43)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Narnia Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''Note:''' This series contains seven books, whose original publication order does not match their chronological order. Specifically, ''The Magician's Nephew'' is eariler than ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'', and ''The Horse and His Boy'' is between ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'' and ''Prince Caspian''. Questions in this subbranch concern whether the place referenced can be found in the map contained in each book, not in which books' time the place exists. Therefore, places that exist in a book published later but is chronologically earlier than another book will not appear in the latter book, even if canonally they still exist in its time. Here are the seven books in their original publication order, which they will be referred to as.<br />
<br />
# ''{{w|The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe}}''<br />
# ''{{w|Prince Caspian}}''<br />
# ''{{w|The Voyage of the Dawn Treader}}''<br />
# ''{{w|The Silver Chair}}''<br />
# ''{{w|The Horse and His Boy}}''<br />
# ''{{w|The Magician's Nephew}}''<br />
# ''{{w|The Last Battle}}''<br />
|-<br />
! 39<br />
| '''Calormen?'''<br />
| {{w|Calormen}} is a foreign empire in ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
| Map of Narnia<br />
|<br />
* No: 3-<br />
* Yes: 4+<br />
|<br />
* No: 3- (Go to 40)<br />
* Yes: 4+ (Go to 42)<br />
|-<br />
! 40<br />
| '''Lotta islands?'''<br />
| Refers to [http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map] from ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'', which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
| 3-<br />
|<br />
* No: not 3<br />
* Yes: 3<br />
|<br />
* No: 2- (Go to 41)<br />
* Yes: 3 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 41<br />
| '''Beruna'''<br />
| Refers to [http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of ''The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'', the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of ''Prince Caspian''.<br />
| 2-<br />
|<br />
* Ford: 1<br />
* Bridge: 2<br />
|<br />
* Ford: 1 ('''Stop''')<br />
* Bridge: 2 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 42<br />
| '''Weird recursive heaven?'''<br />
| Refers to ''The Last Battle'', where the protagonists find themselves in {{w|Aslan's Country}}, a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
| 4+<br />
|<br />
* No: 6-<br />
* Yes: 7<br />
|<br />
* No: 4 - 6 (stated in comic as one of the random later books) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 7 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | ''Narnia Subbranch ends''<br />
|-<br />
! 43<br />
| '''Mossflower?'''<br />
| A forest from the ''{{w|Redwall}}'' book series.<br />
| Not a map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: ''Redwall''<br />
* No: inconclusive<br />
|<br />
* Yes: ''Redwall'' ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: not a map of the Earth (Go to 44)<br />
|-<br />
! 44<br />
| '''Is the world on the back of a turtle?'''<br />
| The comic fantasy book series ''{{w|Discworld}}'' is set on the fictional Discworld, a flat disc balanced on the backs of four elephants which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle.<br />
| Not a map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: ''Discworld''<br />
* No: inconclusive<br />
|<br />
* Yes: ''Discworld'' ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: not a map of the Earth (Go to 45)<br />
|-<br />
! 45<br />
| '''Are you ''sure'' this is a map?'''<br />
| After incorrectly guessing several popular fictional world, it is fair to doubt whether the subject being identified here is a map at all.<br />
| Not a map of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: a map ''for sure'', just not of the Earth<br />
* No: not a map<br />
|<br />
* Yes: a map ''for sure'', just not of the Earth (Go to 46)<br />
* No: not a map (Go to 48)<br />
|-<br />
! 46<br />
| '''Did you make it yourself?'''<br />
| At this point, the map can only be a homemade map of some other fictional world.<br />
| A map ''for sure'', just not of the Earth<br />
|<br />
* Yes: a homemade map<br />
|<br />
* Yes: a homemade map (Go to 47)<br />
|-<br />
! 47<br />
| '''It's very nice.'''<br />
| A stock response to "[It's] Very nice" is "Thanks, I made it myself". Since we have already done the "made it myself" part, we need to do the other parts too, albeit out of sequence.<br />
| A homemade map<br />
|<br />
* Thank you!: something "very nice"<br />
|<br />
* Thank you!: a "very nice" homemade map ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Not a Map Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 48<br />
| '''Is it trying to bite you?'''<br />
| Now we arr trying to guess something that is not a map. Makes sense to ask if it's something that bites, right? Right?<br />
| Not a map<br />
|<br />
* No: doesn't bite<br />
* Yes: bites<br />
|<br />
* No: doesn't bite and not a map (Go to 49)<br />
* Yes: bites (Go to 50)<br />
|-<br />
! 49<br />
| '''Is it larger than a breadbox?'''<br />
| The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be in the game [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_Questions Twenty Questions]. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox. Also, since the question is a common ''first'' question in order to narrow down the possibilities, it is unclear why it is asked after question 48.<br />
| Doesn't bite and not a map<br />
|<br />
* Yes: larger than a breadbox<br />
* No: smaller than a breadbox<br />
* About the same: about the same size as a breadbox<br />
|<br />
* Yes: larger than a breadbox, doesn't bite, and not a map (comic guesses a tuba) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: smaller than a breadbox, doesn't bite, and not a map (comic guesses a stapler) ('''Stop''')<br />
* About the same: about the same size as a breadbox, doesn't bite, and not a map (comic guesses a breadbox) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 50<br />
| '''If you let it go, what does it do?'''<br />
|<br />
| Bites<br />
|<br />
* Hisses and go away: hisses and go away if let go<br />
* Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: screeches and flaps around the room breaking things if let go<br />
|<br />
* Hisses and go away: bites, and hisses and go away if let go (comic guesses a cat) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: bites, and screeches and flaps around the room breaking things if let go (comic guesses a seagull) ('''Stop''' (however, see 51))<br />
|-<br />
! 51<br />
| '''Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death?'''<br />
| ''Note: Title text question.''<br />
| Bites, and screeches and flaps around the room breaking things if let go<br />
|<br />
* Yes: Screeching chills your blood and heralds death<br />
* No: Screeching does not chill your blood and herald death; or does not screech<br />
|<br />
* Yes: bites; screeches and flaps around the room breaking things if let go; screeching chills your blood and heralds death (title text guesses a banshee) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: bites; screeches and flaps around the room breaking things if let go; screeching does not chill your blood and herald death (title text guesses a seagull) ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact. Note that by modern standards, pre-WWII Germany was also quite huge, since at that point Germany included {{w|Prussia}} which contained much of modern Poland as well as Russian {{w|Kaliningrad}}, and in 1938 Germany took control of Austria in the {{w|Anschluss}} and the {{w|Sudetenland}} in {{w|Czechoslovakia}} following the {{w|Munich Agreement}}. Not all maps produced during WWII used the Nazi borders, since the Allies refused to recognize German occupation and supported the {{w|government-in-exile|governments-in-exile}}.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
This question is also for the wrong time period, as the search tree leading to a British Tanganyika is only the period from 1960-1961.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''The Sinai is part of what country?'''<br />
In 1979, Israel signed a piece Treaty in which it would gradually retreat from the entire Sinai Peninsula, handing that area to Egypt. This happened over a period of three years, completing in 1982.<br />
<br />
'''What's the capital of Micronesia?'''<br />
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia] are a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Their capital was Kolonia until 1989, when it changed to Palikir, on the same island.<br />
<br />
'''Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?'''<br />
Burkina Faso was named the Republic of the Upper Volta until 1984, when the president Thomas Sankara decided to rename it.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire? or: Hong Kong (UK)''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
{{w|Hong Kong}} was taken by the British in 1843 at the end of the {{w|First Opium War}}, and an additional area (the New Territories) were leased from China in 1898 on a 99-year lease. When the lease expired in 1997, {{w|Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|the whole of Hong Kong was returned to China}}.<br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of Russian annexation. Depending on where you get your maps, Crimea might not be marked as disputed - [http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/04/12/302337754/google-maps-displays-crimean-border-differently-in-russia-u-s Google Maps Ukraine shows it as solely Ukranian while Google Maps Russia shows it as Russian].<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably some time in 2023, the radioactive exclusion zone also becomes infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Flowcharts]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Fiction]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1212001688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:46:38Z<p>173.245.54.58: also fixed some date ranges.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''Note:''' the chart splits here into three divisions, each from a choice in question 1. The Neither Division will attempt to use other indicators to sort maps into one of the other two divisions or branches thereof, or, after 5 failures to find a country, conclude that the "map" in question is not a political map and proceed to find out what it is (the Not a Political Map Branch). The Constantinople and Istanbul Divisions are linear except where the Neither Division joins them as stated above.<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Constantinople Division<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, although South Africa was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
| The region Rhodesia (or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia]) was known as South Zambezia until 1895. In the present day it's known as Zimbabwe.<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: 1895-<br />
* Yes: 1895+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868-95 (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: 1895 - 1910 (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: 1884-<br />
* Yes: 1884+<br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1918-<br />
* No: 1919+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1910 - 1918 (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
| Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.<br />
| 1910 - 1918 <br />
|<br />
* No: 1912-<br />
* Yes: 1912+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910 - 1912 ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1913 - 1918 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 18<br />
| '''Leningrad?'''<br />
| Before 1924, Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) was named Petrograd.<br />
| 1919 - 1929<br />
|<br />
* No: 1924-<br />
* Yes: 1924+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1919 - 1923 ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1924 - 1929 ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
This question is also for the wrong time period, as the search tree leading to a British Tanganyika is only the period from 1960-1961.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''The Sinai is part of what country?'''<br />
In 1979, Israel signed a piece Treaty in which it would gradually retreat from the entire Sinai Peninsula, handing that area to Egypt. This happened over a period of three years, completing in 1982.<br />
<br />
'''What's the capital of Micronesia?'''<br />
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia] are a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Their capital was Kolonia until 1989, when it changed to Palikir, on the same island.<br />
<br />
'''Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?'''<br />
Burkina Faso was named the Republic of the Upper Volta until 1984, when the president Thomas Sankara decided to rename it.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably some time in 2023, the radioactive exclusion zone also becomes infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211981688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:43:50Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added a few entries to the table (also, removed some cruft from the Rhodesia entry.)</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''Note:''' the chart splits here into three divisions, each from a choice in question 1. The Neither Division will attempt to use other indicators to sort maps into one of the other two divisions or branches thereof, or, after 5 failures to find a country, conclude that the "map" in question is not a political map and proceed to find out what it is (the Not a Political Map Branch). The Constantinople and Istanbul Divisions are linear except where the Neither Division joins them as stated above.<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Constantinople Division<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, although South Africa was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
| The region Rhodesia (or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia]) was known as South Zambezia until 1895. In the present day it's known as Zimbabwe.<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: 1895-<br />
* Yes: 1895+<br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: 1884-<br />
* Yes: 1884+<br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 1918-<br />
* No: 1919+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
| Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.<br />
| 1910 - 1918 <br />
|<br />
* No: 1910 - 1912<br />
* Yes: 1913 - 1918<br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 18<br />
| '''Leningrad?'''<br />
| Before 1924, Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) was named Petrograd.<br />
| 1919 - 1929<br />
|<br />
* No: 1919 - 1923<br />
* Yes: 1924 - 1929<br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
This question is also for the wrong time period, as the search tree leading to a British Tanganyika is only the period from 1960-1961.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''The Sinai is part of what country?'''<br />
In 1979, Israel signed a piece Treaty in which it would gradually retreat from the entire Sinai Peninsula, handing that area to Egypt. This happened over a period of three years, completing in 1982.<br />
<br />
'''What's the capital of Micronesia?'''<br />
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia] are a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Their capital was Kolonia until 1989, when it changed to Palikir, on the same island.<br />
<br />
'''Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?'''<br />
Burkina Faso was named the Republic of the Upper Volta until 1984, when the president Thomas Sankara decided to rename it.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably some time in 2023, the radioactive exclusion zone also becomes infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211961688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:30:45Z<p>173.245.54.58: Wrong date.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''Note:''' the chart splits here into three divisions, each from a choice in question 1. The Neither Division will attempt to use other indicators to sort maps into one of the other two divisions or branches thereof, or, after 5 failures to find a country, conclude that the "map" in question is not a political map and proceed to find out what it is (the Not a Political Map Branch). The Constantinople and Istanbul Divisions are linear except where the Neither Division joins them as stated above.<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Constantinople Division<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
This question is also for the wrong time period, as the search tree leading to a British Tanganyika is only the period from 1960-1961.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''The Sinai is part of what country?'''<br />
In 1979, Israel signed a piece Treaty in which it would gradually retreat from the entire Sinai Peninsula, handing that area to Egypt. This happened over a period of three years, completing in 1982.<br />
<br />
'''What's the capital of Micronesia?'''<br />
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia] are a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Their capital was Kolonia until 1989, when it changed to Palikir, on the same island.<br />
<br />
'''Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?'''<br />
Burkina Faso was named the Republic of the Upper Volta until 1984, when the president Thomas Sankara decided to rename it.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably some time in 2023, the radioactive exclusion zone also becomes infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211951688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:28:40Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* West Africa branch (1930-1991) */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''Note:''' the chart splits here into three divisions, each from a choice in question 1. The Neither Division will attempt to use other indicators to sort maps into one of the other two divisions or branches thereof, or, after 5 failures to find a country, conclude that the "map" in question is not a political map and proceed to find out what it is (the Not a Political Map Branch). The Constantinople and Istanbul Divisions are linear except where the Neither Division joins them as stated above.<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Constantinople Division<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
This question is also for the wrong time period, as the search tree leading to a British Tanganyika is only the period from 1960-1961.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''The Sinai is part of what country?'''<br />
In 1979, Israel signed a piece Treaty in which it would gradually retreat from the entire Sinai Peninsula, handing that area to Egypt. This happened over a period of three years, completing in 1982.<br />
<br />
'''What's the capital of Micronesia?'''<br />
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia] are a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Their capital was Kolonia until 1989, when it changed to Palikir, on the same island.<br />
<br />
'''Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?'''<br />
Burkina Faso was named the Republic of the Upper Volta until 1984, when the president Thomas Sankara decided to rename it.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211931688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:20:22Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* West Africa branch (1930-1991) */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
This question is also for the wrong time period, as the search tree leading to a British Tanganyika is only the period from 1960-1961.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211921688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:17:46Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* West Africa branch (1930-1991) */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''Bangladesh?'''<br />
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1972.<br />
<br />
'''Is the area south of Lake Victoria...'''<br />
The area called Tanganyika declared independence from Britain to form its own country in 1961, and unified with Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964.<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211911688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:09:54Z<p>173.245.54.58: Undo revision 121188 by Ttt (talk) - notice that the order of the reunification events _within_ the year is important.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys, for a total of three. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211891688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T05:05:40Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the period in which the Soviet Union does not exist is the period ''after'' the Soviet Union rather than the period before.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. The chart suggests that in mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two. This is wrong, however, since the reunification of Germany was completed in 1990. The same year as the unification of Yemen. So already 1990 the total number shrinks to 2. <br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
======Not a Map Branch======<br />
'''Is it larger than a breadbox?''' The most common reference to breadboxes is the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when trying to guess what some surprise object may be. However, instead of asking further questions to narrow down the choices, the comic just gives a guess for each response. It is worth noticing that the comic guesses a breadbox itself as something about the same size as a breadbox.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211861688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:55:59Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* West Africa branch (1933-1991) */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
There is no recursive loop.<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1930-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''Cambodia?'''<br />
Cambodia (or Kampuchea) declared independence from France in 1953.<br />
<br />
'''Eritrea is a part of...'''<br />
Eritrea declared independence from Italy in 1952, joining Ethiopia to create the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Ethiopia_and_Eritrea Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea].<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops exploited the unrest to launch an invasion. A referendum, where many nations, including all member states of the EU, the USA, and Canada, disputed the democratic legitimacy of the referendum, was held during this and ostensibly decided in favor of russian annexation.<br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211831688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:49:24Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* West Africa branch (1933-1991) */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Political Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious, with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1933-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''Is most of West Africa a giant French blob?'''<br />
Before 1960, most of West Africa consisted of a number of French colonies united under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa French West Africa].<br />
<br />
'''Pakistan?'''<br />
Pakistan was officially recognized as its own country separate from India in 1947.<br />
<br />
'''How many Germanys are there?'''<br />
During WWII, the Nazi Party invaded a large swath of Europe, which would make Nazi Germany huge on the map during that period. After the war, it split up into two countries — West Germany which was part of NATO, and East Germany which was part of the Warsaw Pact.<br />
<br />
'''Persia or Iran?'''<br />
Persia was renamed Iran in 1935.<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
====Radioactive Colorado Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
=== Not a Political Map Branch ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
==== Topological Map / Satellite Image Subbranch ====<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
====Fitional Map / Non-Map Subbranch====<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
=====Narnia Subbranch=====<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Narnia Subbranch ends'''<br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211791688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:39:56Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added subsections for the individual branches.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910 (Go to 12)<br />
* Yes: 1910-28 (Go to 16)<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| '''Rhodesia?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1910<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 13)<br />
* Yes: (Go to 15)<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| '''Is Bolivia landlocked?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: (Go to 14)<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| '''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: <br />
* Budapest: <br />
|<br />
* Buda and Pest: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Budapest: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 15<br />
| '''Is Norway part of Sweden?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| '''Austria-Hungary?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1910-28<br />
|<br />
* Yes: <br />
* No: <br />
|<br />
* Yes: (Go to 17)<br />
* No: (Go to 18)<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| '''Albania?'''<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
* No: <br />
* Yes: <br />
|<br />
* No: ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: ('''Stop''')<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Does the Soviet Union exist?''' <br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
This question actually appears twice on the graph — once if you choose "Istanbul", once if you choose "neither". If you choose Istanbul, it's given that the <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Saudi Arabia?'''<br />
This entry can only be accessed in the Neither branch. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, so any maps without it would have been from before then.<br />
<br />
'''North Korea?'''<br />
If the Soviet Union does not exist, it was in one of two periods: the period before North Korea existed (which would have been pre-1922), and the period in which North Korea does exist (which would be post-1991). If North Korea does exist, then the period is the same period in which the capital of Turkey was called Istanbul, so they both lead to the same question about Zaire.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== West Africa branch (1933-1991) ===<br />
<br />
'''How many Vietnams are there?'''<br />
On April 30, 1975, forces from North Vietnam captured Saigon, and reunified the country, in an event known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day Reunification Day], which marked the end of the Vietnam War. Maps before this date would have "North Vietnam" and "South Vietnam" on them rather than a single "Vietnam".<br />
<br />
'''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
=== Post-Soviet branch (1991-) ===<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Nonpolitical branch (????-????) ===<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211771688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:22:28Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added future event entries.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. (Except in the Not a Map Branch (from "Can you see the familiar continents?" downwards), the comic assumes a political map.) Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910<br />
* Yes: 1910-28<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Neither / Does the Ottoman Empire exist? / No / '''The Soviet Union?''' <br />
<br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''"Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?'''<br />
This entry and the one below it are now referring to hypothetical future events: specifically, a huge radioactivity event in Colorado that takes place some time in 2022.<br />
<br />
'''Does the warning mention the spiders?'''<br />
Presumably in 2022, the radioactive exclusion zone is also infested with mutant spiders.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (created by mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
(For the Istanbul branch) '''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211741688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:18:11Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added bold headings for the sections in the Zaire subtree.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910<br />
* Yes: 1910-28<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Neither / Does the Ottoman Empire exist? / No / '''The Soviet Union?''' <br />
<br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied Soviet republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. It's very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
'''Zaire?''' <br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The original name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
'''Serbia and Montenegro are...'''<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
'''East Timor?'''<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
'''How many Sudans are there?'''<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
'''Is Crimea disputed?'''<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (Created by Mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
'''The US's southern border looks'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase Gadsden Purchase]<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
(For the Istanbul branch) '''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211731688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:12:49Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added a section on Yemens + Germanys.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and is the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910<br />
* Yes: 1910-28<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Neither / Does the Ottoman Empire exist? / No / '''The Soviet Union?''' <br />
<br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied soviets republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. Its very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The origonal name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (Created by Mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
'''The US's southern border looks'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase Gadsden Purchase]<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
(For the Istanbul branch) '''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
'''(Number of Yemens) + (Number of Germanys) = ?'''<br />
In 1990, two unification events took place: the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_unification Yemeni unification] on May 22, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification German reunification] on October 3. Before these events, in early 1990, there would have been four Yemens and Germanys total. In mid-1990, when only the Yemeni unification had taken place, there would be one Yemen and two Germanys. and in late 1990, after both events took place, there would be one of each for a total of two.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211711688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:07:32Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added Jimmy Carter line.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
| The Union of South Africa was created in 1910, but South Aferica was then not yet fully independent from the United Kingdom (which would not happen until 1931).<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
* No: 1910-<br />
* Yes: 1910+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1868 - 1910<br />
* Yes: 1910-28<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Neither / Does the Ottoman Empire exist? / No / '''The Soviet Union?''' <br />
<br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied soviets republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. Its very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The origonal name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (Created by Mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
'''The US's southern border looks'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase Gadsden Purchase]<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
(For the Istanbul branch) '''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Jimmy Carter is...'''<br />
On April 20, 1979, Jimmy Carter was attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, a fact referenced in [[204|204: America]]. This fact would not normally be referenced on a map, however, and is simply a joke entry that leads to the next question.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211691688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T04:02:44Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added section about "the familiar continents".</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Neither / Does the Ottoman Empire exist? / No / '''The Soviet Union?''' <br />
<br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied soviets republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. Its very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The origonal name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (Created by Mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
'''The US's southern border looks'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase Gadsden Purchase]<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
'''Can you see the familiar continents?'''<br />
This question asks if the usual continents are present on the map, after the reader has indicated that Jan Mayen is not on the map. This means that either the map is not a political map (in which case it is a satellite image), or it is not a map of Earth at all, in which case the question starts asking about characteristics of fictional maps instead.<br />
<br />
'''Rivers 'Sirion' or 'Anduin'?'''<br />
The rivers Sirion and Anduin are part of Middle Earth, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'' books. If either of these rivers are present on the map, then the map is of Middle Earth, in which case the questions following are questions to determine which age the map is of. If these rivers are not present, then the questions continue trying to determine which fictional world the map represents.<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
(For the Istanbul branch) '''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1688:_Map_Age_Guide&diff=1211681688: Map Age Guide2016-06-02T03:54:49Z<p>173.245.54.58: Added a section on the 1949 Canada split.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1688<br />
| date = June 1, 2016<br />
| title = Map Age Guide<br />
| image = map_age_guide.png<br />
| titletext = Does the screeching chill your blood and herald death? If yes, banshee. If no, seagull.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
*A [http://xkcd.com/1688/large/ larger version] of this image can be found by clicking the image at xkcd.com - the comic's page can also be accessed by clicking on the comic number above.<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Many is still missing.}}<br />
Flowchart depicting various ways to tell what era a map is from based on present country borders and land forms. Most of the options are very serious,with a few bizarre options (mistaking a seagull and breadbox for a map) or references to things like the {{w|Discworld}} books and Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord Of the Rings series. He also mentions US President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit, an event previously referenced by [[204]].<br />
<br />
Additionally, (possible) future maps including a "Radioactive Exclusion Zone" in the place of Colorado are mentioned. It predicts that some kind of nuclear incident will occur in Colorado (possibly at Rulison or Rio Blanco nuclear testing sites) in 2022. It also predicts that the area will be infested by radioactive spiders one year later.<br />
<br />
The title text continues the path where the user has confused a seagull for a map by inquiring if the (presumed) seagull might be a banshee based on the effect of its screams.<br />
<br />
<br />
(First Draft, please expand.)<br />
<br />
Going through the flowchart, taking the leftmost path first, recursively. See {{w|Depth-first search}}. "Prior Date Range" is the range determined immediately before the question, carried over from the previous question; "Question Date Range" is the range each answer choice implies; "New Date Range" is the intersection of the Prior Date Range and the Question Date Range for each choice, and the range determined by all questions hiherto answered. Branches are self-containing units that do not lead to anything outside.<br />
<br />
{| border =1 width=100% cellpadding=5 class="wikitable"<br />
! # !! Question !! Explanation !! Prior Date Range !! Question Date Range !! New Date Range<br />
|-<br />
! 1<br />
| '''Istanbul or Constantinople'''<br />
| The largest city in Turkey is famous for having different names at different times or to different people. Variations on both names go back at least 1,000 years. Other names have also been used at various points. {{w|İstanbul}} has been the official name since the 1920's, although Western maps often referred to it as Constantinople as late as the 1960's; on the flowchart, the choice of name appears to go with the 1920's date. The name changes are the subject of a [http://mentalfloss.com/article/60314/original-istanbul-not-constantinople song], originally by the Four Lads, but now mainly known for the They Might Be Giants recording.<br />
| '''Start here'''<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|<br />
* Constantinople: -329 - 1928 (Go to 2)<br />
* Neither: inconclusive<br />
* Istanbul: 1928+<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Canada/Alaska/Tokyo Branch<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| '''Do any of these exist?'''<br />
* '''Independent Canada'''<br />
* '''US Territory of Alaska'''<br />
* '''Tokyo'''<br />
| All these seem to specify a date cut-off of 1867/8, but there are caveats attached to each:<br />
* Canada gained its independence gradually, but it would appear as its own country on maps some time between the {{w|Constitution Act, 1867}} (which created Canada as a British dominion) and the {{w|Statute of Westminster 1931}} (which made Canada largely self-governing).<br />
* The {{w|Territory of Alaska}} existed between 1912 (previously, it was a US district) and 1959 (when it became a state). The US has owned Alaska since the 1867 {{w|Alaska Purchase}}, but it was not a territory then.<br />
* {{w|Tokyo}} was once called Edo. It was renamed Tokyo (which means "Eastern Capital") when it became the capital in 1868. [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Tokyo%2CTokei&year_start=1870&year_end=1880&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CTokyo%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTokei%3B%2Cc0 Most English books around then] would actually have called it "Tokei", the Chinese reading. The name Tokyo didn't take off until {{w|Hepburn romanization}} was popularized in the 1880s.<br />
| -329 - 1928 (From 1)<br />
|<br />
* No: 1867-<br />
* Yes: 1868+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 1867 (Go to 3)<br />
* Yes: 1868 - 1928 (Go to 11)<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | Holy Roman Empire Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| '''The Holy Roman Empire'''<br />
| The predecessor to modern Germany, the {{w|Holy Roman Empire}} was a union of hundreds of small states in Central Europe. Nationalism and the concept of the {{w|nation state}} hadn't taken off yet, so countries as we know them didn't really exist. There were just small lands, often with keenly contested borders, owned by minor aristocracy who pledged allegiance to one of the big powers. The HRE was dissolved in 1806 after it was invaded by Napoleon, arguably the first leader to realise the potential of making a nation salute a flag.<br />
| -329 - 1867<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806<br />
* No: 899- or 1806+<br />
|<br />
* Yes: 899 - 1806 (Stated in comic as 1805-, since modern map-making was fuzzy as a concept prior) ('''Stop''')<br />
* No: -329 - 899 or 1806-67 (Go to 4)<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| '''The United States?'''<br />
| The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776. A map that does not include ''either'' the HRE ''or'' the USA must be older than the HRE which would put the map some time prior to 1000 AD, when there really were no countries, and English wasn't used yet, hence Randall's comment.<br />
| -329 - 899 or 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1776-<br />
* Yes: 1776+<br />
|<br />
* No: -329 - 899 (Not stated in comic, since a map in this period is probably not in English, which violates a proviso of the comic) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1806-67 (Go to 5)<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| '''Texas is...<br/>Part of Mexico?<br/>Independent?<br/>Part of the US?'''<br />
| Mexico occupied the area modern day Texas from around 1718 ([[w:Spanish Texas|when the first permanent Spanish settlements were founded]]) to the {{w|Texas Declaration of Independence}} in 1836 (the comic appearantly cited 1834 as the date) - the land called "Texas" was only a small part of the modern day state. The {{w|Republic of Texas}} only lasted a decade, and joined the US in 1846.<br />
| 1806-67<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1718 - 1836<br />
* Independent: 1836-46<br />
* Part of the US: 1846+<br />
|<br />
* Part of Mexico: 1806-36 (Go to 6)<br />
* Independent: 1836-46 (stated in comic as 1834-45 - a discrepancy) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Part of the US: 1846-67 (Go to 9)<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| '''Florida is part of...<br/>Spain?<br/>The US?'''<br />
| Spain occupied {{w|Florida}} (as East Florida and West Florida) but frankly they didn't actually want it - it was expensive to send people to settle it, and there wasn't much economic value in it. So they gave it to the US for free in the 1819 {{w|Adams–Onís Treaty}} (which took effect in 1821) in exchange for the US giving up parts of Mexico and paying off angry Spanish settlers. (For some reason, the comic treats Florida as part of the US in 1818; see questions 7 and 8.)<br />
| 1806-36<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1565 - 1763 or 1783 - 1821<br />
* The US: 1821+<br />
|<br />
* Spain: 1806-21 (Go to 7)<br />
* The US: 1821-36 (Go to 8)<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| '''{{w|Paraguay}}?'''<br />
| Declared independence from Spain in 1811 (although it might appear on older maps as the Spanish Province of Paraguay).<br />
| 1806-21<br />
|<br />
* No: 1811-<br />
* Yes: 1811+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1806-11 (stated in comic as 1806-10) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1811-21 (stated in comic as 1811-17 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| '''{{w|Venezuela}} and/or {{w|Ecuador?}}'''<br />
| Both declared independence from {{w|Gran Colombia}} (Greater Colombia) in 1830.<br />
| 1821-36<br />
|<br />
* No: 1830-<br />
* Yes: 1830+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1821-30 (stated in comic as 1818-29 - a discrepancy (see question 6)) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Yes: 1830-36 (stated in comic as 1830-33 - a discrepancy (see question 5)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| '''Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?'''<br />
| The 1858 {{w|Treaty of Aigun}} brought the Russian border to the Sea of Japan.<br />
| 1846-67<br />
|<br />
* No: 1858-<br />
* Yes: 1858+<br />
|<br />
* No: 1846-58 (Go to 10)<br />
* Yes: 1858-67 ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! 10<br />
| '''The US's southern border looks... <br/> Weird <br/> Normal'''<br />
| The last southward expansion of the US is the 1854 {{w|Gadsden Purchase}}, where the US bought a chunk of what is now Arizona and New Mexico so they could build a railway that avoided unfavourable terrain. The southern border looks "weird" before that because we are accustomed to the current border shape.<br />
| 1846-58<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1854-<br />
* Normal: 1854+<br />
|<br />
* Weird: 1846-54 (stated in comic as 1846-53) ('''Stop''')<br />
* Normal: 1854-58 (stated in comic as 1854-56 - a discrepancy (where is 1857?)) ('''Stop''')<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" | South Africa Subbranch<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| '''{{w|South Africa}}?'''<br />
|<br />
| 1868 - 1928<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Neither / Does the Ottoman Empire exist? / No / '''The Soviet Union?''' <br />
<br />
The Soviet Union is one of the largest countries ever to exist consisting of Russia and large portions of eastern Europe and central Asia. It was a major political force from 1922, when several allied soviets republics united, to 1991, when it broke up. Its very simple to find on any map that has it.<br />
<br />
Zaire was one of a series of names for what is today called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1996 a (successful) revolt began to oust the reigning government from power. As part of this revolution, the country was renamed. The origonal name change away from 'Congo' was part of an 'Africanisation' naming campaign, although 'Congo' is in origin an authentic African name for the river that set the boundaries of the nation. <br />
<br />
Serbia and Montenegro were a remnant of Yugoslavia. Montenegro voted to become its own country in 2006.<br />
<br />
East Timor is a nation north of Australia and south east of Indonesia. During the dutch colonization of Indonesia east Timor remained in Portuguese hands. While occupied and annexed by Indonesia since 1976, east Timor retained its own culture and voted for independence, then had a nasty militia action that required UN peacekeeping action, and finally become independent in 2002.<br />
<br />
In 2011, after a long history of violence between the two portions of the country (which can be characterized as Islamic vs. Christian and Traditional Religions), South Sudan became independent from its northern neighbor.<br />
<br />
In 2014, a revolution ousted the current Ukrainian president. The Crimea had its own civil unrest, and Russian troops intervened to restore order. A referendum held during this time has decided in favor of russian annexation. Many nations, including all member states of the EU and the USA, dispute the results of the referendum. <br />
<br />
'''This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo''' <br />
The following questions are about physical geography. Many of these features are not generally tracked accurately in maps - many maps still show the Aral Sea, even though it's now mostly evaporated - but are clearly visible in photos.<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in Southern California? (Created by Mistake)''' <br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea Salton Sea] A previously dry lakebed accidentally flooded in 1905 while attempting to increase irrigation to the area from the Colorado River<br />
<br />
'''How far East do the American Prairies reach?'''<br />
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in pieces ~1820s, there may be something more relevant to draw the line at Indiana though. Likely this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_removals_in_Indiana]<br />
<br />
'''Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (Created on Purpose)'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Volta Lake Volta]<br />
<br />
'''The US's southern border looks'''<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase Gadsden Purchase]<br />
<br />
'''"Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest#Etymology Buda and Pest] were originally two different cities<br />
<br />
'''Rhodesia?''' The dates down the chain suggest this is about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia_(region) Rhodesia the Region] not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia Rhodesia the Unrecognized state] nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia Southern Rhodesia] the British Colony<br />
<br />
'''Cair Paravel?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Cair_Paravel Cair Paravel]] is the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia. It is a common point for all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia except for The Magician's Nephew (which covers the period of history before the castle was built). It is sufficiently important that it would presumably be included in any map accompanying a Narnia book, even if none of the action in the story occurs there.<br />
<br />
'''Calormen?'''<br />
[[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Calormen Calormen]] is an foreign empire in the Chronicles of Narnia. While it was indirectly referenced in the first three books C.S. Lewis published, it was not included in maps until the later books in the series.<br />
<br />
'''Weird Recursive Heaven?'''<br />
This refers to the last book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle, where the protagonists find themselves in [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan's_Country Aslan's Country]], a glorious afterlife of which Narnia (along with Earth and presumably every other world) is only a shadowy reflection.<br />
<br />
'''Lotta Islands?'''<br />
This refers to [[http://www.charliewstarr.com/_Media/mapdawntreader.gif this map]] from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which focused on a ship voyage from Cair Paravel to the eastern edge of the world and back.<br />
<br />
'''Beruna (Ford/Bridge)'''<br />
This refers to [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54_2TDRUbHY/TpJHzFBzmiI/AAAAAAAALOA/q3RnPSvfdJ0/s1600/IMG.jpg the map]] of Narnia originally published in Prince Caspian. During the time of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the people of Beruna crossed the Great River via a ford, but it had been replaced by a bridge at the beginning of Prince Caspian. <br />
<br />
'''Mossflower'''<br />
A forest from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall Redwall] book series.<br />
<br />
(For the Istanbul branch) '''The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is [Hot Springs 1948-49] or [Truth or Consequences 1950-52]'''<br />
I-25 didn't exist for any of the years listed for this item, since the Interstate Highway System wasn't launched until 1956. The highway designation on maps printed during the years listed was U.S. 85. The town continues to be called "Truth or Consequences", although locals say that it provides more of the latter than of the former.<br />
<br />
'''Canada is...'''<br />
In 1949, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Newfoundland Dominion of Newfoundland] became a part of Canada. Before that, it was marked as its own region on the map, so maps from 1948 and before would have Canada "missing a piece" on its east coast as compared to how it looks today.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
Guide to figuring out the age of an undated world map<br />
<br />
(Assuming it's complete, labeled in english, and detailed enough)<br />
<br />
Start:<br />
* Istanbul or Constantinople?<br />
** Constantinople:<br />
*** <span id="canada-alaska-tokyo">Do any of these exist? Independent Canada; US Territory of Alaska; Tokyo.</span><br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Holy Roman Empire?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* 1805 or earlier (before this point, the modern idea of a complete political map of the world gets hard to apply.)<br />
****** No:<br />
******* The United States?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* How sure are you that this map is in english?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Texas is...<br />
********** Part of Mexico:<br />
*********** Florida is part of...<br />
************ Spain:<br />
************* Paraguay?<br />
************** No: '''1806-10'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1811-17'''<br />
************ The US:<br />
************* Venezuela and/or ecuador?<br />
************** No: '''1818-29'''<br />
************** Yes: '''1830-33'''<br />
********** Independent: '''1834-45'''<br />
********** Part of the US:<br />
*********** Does Russia border the Sea of Japan?<br />
************ No:<br />
************* The US's southern border looks...<br />
************** Weird: '''1846-53'''<br />
************** Normal: '''1854-56'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1858-67'''<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** South Africa?<br />
****** No:<br />
******* Rhodesia?<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Is Bolivia landlocked?<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** "Buda" and "Pest" or "Budapest"?<br />
************ Buda and Pest: '''1868-72'''<br />
************ Budapest: '''1873-83'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1884-95'''<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Is Norway part of Sweden?<br />
********** Yes: '''1896-1905'''<br />
********** No: '''1906-09'''<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Austria-Hungary?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* Albania?<br />
********** No: '''1910-12'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1913-18'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Leningrad?<br />
********** No: '''1919-23'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1924-29'''<br />
** Neither:<br />
*** Does the Ottoman Empire exist?<br />
**** Yes: '''[[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]'''<br />
**** No:<br />
***** The Soviet Union?<br />
****** Yes:<br />
******* Saudi Arabia?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="west-africa-french-blob">Is most of West Africa a giant french blob?</span><br />
********** Yes:<br />
*********** <span id="bangladesh">Bangladesh?</span><br />
************ No:<br />
************* Is the area south of Lake Victoria...<br />
************** British:<br />
*************** The town on I-25 between Albuquerque and El Paso is...<br />
**************** Hot Springs: '''1948-49'''<br />
**************** Truth or Consequences: '''1950-52'''<br />
************** Tanganyika: '''1961-64'''<br />
************** Tanzania: '''1965-71'''<br />
************ Yes: '''1972-75'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** How many Vietnams are there?<br />
************ Two:<br />
************* [[#bangladesh]]<br />
************ One:<br />
************* Jimmy Carter is...<br />
************** Being attacked by a giant swimming rabbit: '''April 20, 1979'''<br />
************** Fine:<br />
*************** The Sinai is part of what country?<br />
**************** Israel: '''1976-79'''<br />
**************** Mostly Israel: '''1980'''<br />
**************** Mostly Egypt: '''1981'''<br />
**************** Egypt:<br />
***************** What's the capital of Micronesia?<br />
****************** Kolonia:<br />
******************* Republic of the Upper Volta or Burkina Faso?<br />
******************** Upper Volta: '''1982-84'''<br />
******************** 1985-88<br />
****************** Palikir:<br />
******************* (number of Yemens) + (number of Germanys) = ?<br />
******************** Four: '''1989-early 1990'''<br />
******************** Three: '''mid-1990'''<br />
******************** Two: '''late 1990-1991'''<br />
******** No: '''1922-1932'''<br />
****** No:<br />
******* North Korea?<br />
******** Yes:<br />
********* <span id="zaire">Zaire? or: '''"Hong Kong (UK)"</span>'''<br />
********** Yes: '''1992-96'''<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Serbia/Montenegro are...<br />
************ One country:<br />
************* East Timor?<br />
************** No: '''1997-2001'''<br />
************** Yes: '''2002-06'''<br />
************ Two countries:<br />
************* How many Sudans are there?<br />
************** One: '''2007-11'''<br />
************** Two:<br />
************** Is Crimea disputed?<br />
*************** Yes:<br />
**************** "Colorado" or "Danger—Radioactive Exclusion Zone—Avoid"?<br />
***************** Colorado: '''2014-21'''<br />
***************** Danger:<br />
****************** Does the warning mention the spiders?<br />
******************* No: '''2022'''<br />
******************* Yes: '''2023 or later'''<br />
*************** No: '''2012-13'''<br />
******** No:<br />
********* Saint Trimble's Island<br />
********** No:<br />
*********** Is Jan Mayen part of the Kingdom of Norway?<br />
************ Not yet:<br />
************* [[#canada-alaska-tokyo]]<br />
************ What?<br />
************* Can you see the familiar continents?<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** This sounds like a physical map or satellite photo.<br />
**************** Yes, that's it<br />
***************** Is Lake Chad missing?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* How far east do the American Prairies reach?<br />
******************** Indiana: '''before 1830'''<br />
******************** The Mississippi: '''1830s-80s'''<br />
******************** Nebraska:<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Southern California? (created by mistake)<br />
********************** No: '''1860s-1900s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1910s'''<br />
******************** What prairies?<br />
********************* Is there a big lake in the middle of Ghana? (created on purpose)<br />
********************** No: '''1920s-50s'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''1960s-70s'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Is the Aral Sea missing?<br />
******************** No: '''1970s-90s'''<br />
******************** Yes: '''2000s+'''<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** Rivers "Sirion" or "Anduin"?<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** Mordor?<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Beleriand?<br />
******************** Yes: '''First Age'''<br />
******************** No: '''Early Second Age'''<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Númenor?<br />
******************** Yes: '''Late Second Age'''<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* The forest east of the Misty Mountains is...<br />
********************** Greenwood: '''Early Third Age'''<br />
********************** Mirkwood: '''Late Third Age'''<br />
********************** The Wood of Greenleaves: '''Fourth Age'''<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Cair Paravel?<br />
****************** Yes:<br />
******************* Calormen?<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Lotta Islands?<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Beruna<br />
************************ Ford: '''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'''<br />
************************ Bridge:<br />
********************** Yes: '''Prince Caspian'''<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Weird recursive heaven?<br />
********************** No: '''one of the random later books'''<br />
********************** Yes: '''The Last Battle'''<br />
****************** No:<br />
******************* Mossflower?<br />
******************** Yes:<br />
********************* Redwall<br />
******************** No:<br />
********************* Is the world on the back of a turtle?<br />
********************** Yes: '''Discworld'''<br />
********************** No:<br />
*********************** Are you ''sure'' this is a map?<br />
************************ Yes:<br />
************************* Did you make it yourself?<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** It's very nice.<br />
**************************** Thank you!<br />
************************ No:<br />
************************* Is it trying to bite you?<br />
************************** No:<br />
*************************** Is it larger than a breadbox?<br />
**************************** Yes: '''tuba'''<br />
**************************** No: '''stapler'''<br />
**************************** About the same: '''breadbox'''<br />
************************** Yes:<br />
*************************** If you let it go, what does it do?<br />
**************************** Hisses and runs away: '''cat'''<br />
**************************** Screeches and flaps around the room breaking things: '''seagull'''<br />
************ Yes:<br />
************* Pakistan?<br />
************** No:<br />
*************** How many Germanys are there?<br />
**************** One:<br />
***************** Persia or Iran?<br />
****************** Persia: '''1930-34'''<br />
****************** Iran: '''1935-40'''<br />
**************** One, but it's ''huge'': '''1941-45'''<br />
**************** Two: '''1946-47'''<br />
************** Yes:<br />
*************** Cambodia?<br />
**************** No:<br />
***************** Eritrea is part of...<br />
****************** Italy:<br />
******************* Canada is...<br />
******************** Missing a piece: '''1948'''<br />
******************** Fine: '''1949-52'''<br />
****************** Ethiopia: '''1952-53'''<br />
**************** Yes:<br />
***************** The United Arab Republic?<br />
****************** No: '''1954-57'''<br />
****************** Yes: '''1958-60'''<br />
********** Yes: '''No, I made that one up.'''<br />
** Istanbul:<br />
*** Does the Soviet Union exist?<br />
**** Yes:<br />
***** [[#west-africa-french-blob]]<br />
**** No:<br />
***** [[#zaire]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Large drawings]]<br />
[[Category:Maps]]<br />
[[Category:Time]]<br />
[[Category:Animals]]<br />
[[Category:Geography]]<br />
<!-- Cat and seagull --></div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1624:_2016&diff=108393Talk:1624: 20162016-01-01T05:43:58Z<p>173.245.54.58: Created page with "This guy looks more like white hat, you can see it hanging off one of the bedposts"</p>
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<div>This guy looks more like white hat, you can see it hanging off one of the bedposts</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1615:_Red_Car&diff=106999Talk:1615: Red Car2015-12-14T22:02:49Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
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<div>Penises: They're about ''this'' red. Now can we <u>please</u>, as a culture, move on? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.210.206|108.162.210.206]] 08:40, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
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I would also like to point out that if your penis is any kind of blue color, you are probably having a medical emergency, in which case you should be taking much more serious steps than purchasing a particular kind of car to compensate. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.236.151|108.162.236.151]] 21:55, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is this the first time, color is used in the comics? --[[User:Widescape|Robert]] ([[User talk:Widescape|talk]]) 09:43, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:No, there are a lot more [[:Category:Comics with color|comics with color]] {{User:17jiangz1/signature|09:56, 11 December 2015}}<br />
<br />
I think the joke is that red has a longer wavelength than cyan (nanometers of difference). Not anything to do with colour theory. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.133.96|162.158.133.96]] 10:06, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:I'll have you know that a few nanometres make ''all'' the difference, for some people. <u>Click here</u> for the miracle pill you must have!<br />
:(Seriously, as stated elsewhere, it's opposites. Big car, small equipment; RGB(100%,0%,0%) car, RGB(0%,100%,100%) equipment; pH>7 car, pH<7 equipment. Perhaps an annotated colour-wheel picture in the explanation, as a visual guide?) [[Special:Contributions/162.158.152.227|162.158.152.227]] 12:10, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:It seems to me it could also be a reference Anaglyph 3D red-cyan glasses. Bigger color difference makes things look closer to the viewer and thus larger. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaglyph_3D#Interference_filter_systems Wikipedia] {{unsigned ip|108.162.218.47}}<br />
:sorry, I am calling this for 162.158.133.96. Big wavelength vs small wavelength. Big ph number (alkali) vs small ph number(acid). Its consistent. This is fundamentally a big vs small penis joke. In fact, think i am gonna make an edit ... [[User:Plm-qaz snr|Plm-qaz snr]] ([[User talk:Plm-qaz snr|talk]]) 12:53, 13 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Although a low pH indicates a high concentration of H+ ions. In that sense, acidic is high and alkaline is low. [[User:MGK|MGK]] ([[User talk:MGK|talk]]) 23:12, 13 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
::Yes and cyan colour has higher frequency and thus energy that Red, so that just doesn't make as much sence as red opposite of cyan, as small opposite of big and alkaline opposite of acidic. I'm for the opposite solution, without taking numbers into account. Else it is not even funny in my opinion, as it would still just be small vs big, instead of, what to me seems to be the funny part, which is that Megan takes it to just mean that the car always compensate for different properties of a guys penis. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:20, 14 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The mouse over text makes it fairly clear that it's a joke about opposites. If anything could be added to the explanation as it stands, I might clarify that red and cyan are specifically colors of light. When shone on a single area (and therefor mixed) these two colors will create white light. When these colors of light are represented on a color wheel, they are placed opposite each other. So cyan and red in this sense fit as opposites, like big and small, alkaline and acidic. {{unsigned ip|108.162.227.125}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For some reason, this made me laugh extremely hard. I've been up all night and maybe it's sleep deprivation, as it makes me do weird things, like bingewatch on several ISS videos simultaneously. [[User:International Space Station|International Space Station]] ([[User talk:International Space Station|talk]]) 10:56, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
There is also a common stereotype that a car's color reveals something about its owner's psychology (e.g. [https://www.thecaretrust.ie/colour-of-car-personality here]). So, I think Megan is not only generalizing one stereotype but rather mixing two stereotypes, as in other comics. Zetfr 11:41, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is this the shortest complete explanation on this site? {{unsigned|B0xertw1n}}<br />
:[[3: Island (sketch)]] and [[28: Elefino]] are shorter. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.17|108.162.221.17]] 12:53, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[[Wikipedia:Litmus|Litmus]] anyone? --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.106.233|141.101.106.233]] 13:40, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Alternative interpretation of the alt-text: the alkaline car could additionally refer to an electric car powered by an alkaline battery [[Special:Contributions/141.101.91.163|141.101.91.163]] 22:55, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Yeah I also felt that there had to be some more to the alt-text than just another random opposite. Maybe that's it. Or some wordplay that I don't see? -- [[Special:Contributions/162.158.91.192|162.158.91.192]] 01:40, 12 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
::I agree, electric makes more sense. No one would be proud of a "basic" car, but people do take pride in their electric "eco-friendly" rides. Also, Randall likes to use technology in his jokes, which makes the electric explanation fit better. Lastly, people talk about having electric cars; when was the last time someone talked about having a "basic" car?[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 21:58, 14 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
A hydrogen powered car would then have a low pH due to high amounts of hydrogen... and thus be highly acidic? {{unsigned ip|Swordsmith}} <br />
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I think that the contributor two items up has the right idea about the title text. Litmus is an indicator of an acidic or alkaline solution. An acidic solution turns litmus paper red, an alkaline solution turns it blue. <br />
The current explanation of the title text " An alkaline solutions is a basic solution. Thus, men that drive basic cars are compensating for their acidic penises." Does not make any sense to me. ([[User:Paw 42|Paw 42]] ([[User talk:Paw 42|talk]]) 18:48, 12 December 2015 (UTC))<br />
:Litmus doesn't makes sense as an explanation because the red/blue difference isn't the emphasis of the comic. Randall is making a point about the idea of people interpreting cars to be symbols of pride for their owner to compensate for their supposedly-unimpressive junk. A litmus explanation pays too much attention to the details of the first joke and misses the forest for the trees.[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 22:02, 14 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
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<br />
I vote to delete the alternate big/small interpretation, as I do not see it makes any sense or even make the joke funny. See both mine and others comments above as to why this is so. I will though not delete it my self yet. But have changed to indicate in the explanation why the alternate explanation has many flaws. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:41, 14 December 2015 (UTC)</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1615:_Red_Car&diff=106997Talk:1615: Red Car2015-12-14T21:58:05Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
<hr />
<div>Penises: They're about ''this'' red. Now can we <u>please</u>, as a culture, move on? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.210.206|108.162.210.206]] 08:40, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I would also like to point out that if your penis is any kind of blue color, you are probably having a medical emergency, in which case you should be taking much more serious steps than purchasing a particular kind of car to compensate. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.236.151|108.162.236.151]] 21:55, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is this the first time, color is used in the comics? --[[User:Widescape|Robert]] ([[User talk:Widescape|talk]]) 09:43, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:No, there are a lot more [[:Category:Comics with color|comics with color]] {{User:17jiangz1/signature|09:56, 11 December 2015}}<br />
<br />
I think the joke is that red has a longer wavelength than cyan (nanometers of difference). Not anything to do with colour theory. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.133.96|162.158.133.96]] 10:06, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:I'll have you know that a few nanometres make ''all'' the difference, for some people. <u>Click here</u> for the miracle pill you must have!<br />
:(Seriously, as stated elsewhere, it's opposites. Big car, small equipment; RGB(100%,0%,0%) car, RGB(0%,100%,100%) equipment; pH>7 car, pH<7 equipment. Perhaps an annotated colour-wheel picture in the explanation, as a visual guide?) [[Special:Contributions/162.158.152.227|162.158.152.227]] 12:10, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:It seems to me it could also be a reference Anaglyph 3D red-cyan glasses. Bigger color difference makes things look closer to the viewer and thus larger. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaglyph_3D#Interference_filter_systems Wikipedia] {{unsigned ip|108.162.218.47}}<br />
:sorry, I am calling this for 162.158.133.96. Big wavelength vs small wavelength. Big ph number (alkali) vs small ph number(acid). Its consistent. This is fundamentally a big vs small penis joke. In fact, think i am gonna make an edit ... [[User:Plm-qaz snr|Plm-qaz snr]] ([[User talk:Plm-qaz snr|talk]]) 12:53, 13 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Although a low pH indicates a high concentration of H+ ions. In that sense, acidic is high and alkaline is low. [[User:MGK|MGK]] ([[User talk:MGK|talk]]) 23:12, 13 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
::Yes and cyan colour has higher frequency and thus energy that Red, so that just doesn't make as much sence as red opposite of cyan, as small opposite of big and alkaline opposite of acidic. I'm for the opposite solution, without taking numbers into account. Else it is not even funny in my opinion, as it would still just be small vs big, instead of, what to me seems to be the funny part, which is that Megan takes it to just mean that the car always compensate for different properties of a guys penis. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:20, 14 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The mouse over text makes it fairly clear that it's a joke about opposites. If anything could be added to the explanation as it stands, I might clarify that red and cyan are specifically colors of light. When shone on a single area (and therefor mixed) these two colors will create white light. When these colors of light are represented on a color wheel, they are placed opposite each other. So cyan and red in this sense fit as opposites, like big and small, alkaline and acidic. {{unsigned ip|108.162.227.125}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For some reason, this made me laugh extremely hard. I've been up all night and maybe it's sleep deprivation, as it makes me do weird things, like bingewatch on several ISS videos simultaneously. [[User:International Space Station|International Space Station]] ([[User talk:International Space Station|talk]]) 10:56, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
There is also a common stereotype that a car's color reveals something about its owner's psychology (e.g. [https://www.thecaretrust.ie/colour-of-car-personality here]). So, I think Megan is not only generalizing one stereotype but rather mixing two stereotypes, as in other comics. Zetfr 11:41, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Is this the shortest complete explanation on this site? {{unsigned|B0xertw1n}}<br />
:[[3: Island (sketch)]] and [[28: Elefino]] are shorter. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.221.17|108.162.221.17]] 12:53, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[[Wikipedia:Litmus|Litmus]] anyone? --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.106.233|141.101.106.233]] 13:40, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Alternative interpretation of the alt-text: the alkaline car could additionally refer to an electric car powered by an alkaline battery [[Special:Contributions/141.101.91.163|141.101.91.163]] 22:55, 11 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Yeah I also felt that there had to be some more to the alt-text than just another random opposite. Maybe that's it. Or some wordplay that I don't see? -- [[Special:Contributions/162.158.91.192|162.158.91.192]] 01:40, 12 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
::I agree, electric makes more sense. No one would be proud of a "basic" car, but people do take pride in their electric "eco-friendly" rides. Also, Randall likes to use technology in his jokes, which makes the electric explanation fit better. Lastly, people talk about having electric cars; when was the last time someone talked about having a "basic" car?[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 21:58, 14 December 2015 (UTC)<br />
A hydrogen powered car would then have a low pH due to high amounts of hydrogen... and thus be highly acidic? {{unsigned ip|Swordsmith}} <br />
<br />
I think that the contributor two items up has the right idea about the title text. Litmus is an indicator of an acidic or alkaline solution. An acidic solution turns litmus paper red, an alkaline solution turns it blue. <br />
The current explanation of the title text " An alkaline solutions is a basic solution. Thus, men that drive basic cars are compensating for their acidic penises." Does not make any sense to me. ([[User:Paw 42|Paw 42]] ([[User talk:Paw 42|talk]]) 18:48, 12 December 2015 (UTC))<br />
<br />
<br />
I vote to delete the alternate big/small interpretation, as I do not see it makes any sense or even make the joke funny. See both mine and others comments above as to why this is so. I will though not delete it my self yet. But have changed to indicate in the explanation why the alternate explanation has many flaws. --[[User:Kynde|Kynde]] ([[User talk:Kynde|talk]]) 12:41, 14 December 2015 (UTC)</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:859:_(&diff=98717Talk:859: (2015-07-29T16:53:36Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
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<div>) Here you go, you're free now. --[[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.150|199.27.128.150]] 01:55, 3 January 2014 (UTC)<br />
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In saying: "The programming language Lisp (also featured in 224: Lisp is known for large numbers...", a closing parenthesis was omitted. Was this intentional?<br />
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:Maybe. >.> <.< [[User:Lcarsos|lcarsos]] ([[User talk:Lcarsos|talk]]) 03:21, 9 October 2012 (UTC)<br />
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:You would need to check the source to be sure... --[[User:Bpothier|B. P.]] ([[User talk:Bpothier|talk]]) 19:08, 9 October 2012 (UTC)<br />
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:(Muahahahahahahahaha! [[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.8|108.162.245.8]] 02:04, 7 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
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If this comic bothers you, [[312: With Apologies to Robert Frost|#312]] can help. [[User:Joey|Joey]] ([[User talk:Joey|talk]]) 03:07, 20 December 2012 (UTC)<br />
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I do not think it's productive to explain the joke using the joke itself without clearly indicating that such is happening. So, ''It also refers to this awkward feeling when you see something (like an unmatched parentheses, speling error or a randomly-placed, comma.'' does not explicitly indicate the reflexive usage of the joke. I hope I'm not being overly pedantic, but my first instinct was to correct the spelling error. An an example the passage is fine, but it should be made to stand apart from the "real explanation" in some way, maybe in a callout or italicized as I have it here --[[User:Smartin|Smartin]] ([[User talk:Smartin|talk]]) 03:36, 4 January 2013 (UTC)<br />
:"I hope I'm not being overly pedantic [...] <b>An</b> an example the passage is..." Perhaps you meant "As". [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.161|108.162.237.161]] 04:41, 24 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
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This reminds me of when I used to program the TI-83. It would automatically close any parentheses at the end of a line, and all the programming guides told me not to close them, since it would save a tiny bit of memory. I must have annoyed my teachers a lot when this bled over into my homework. I know I've gotten graded down for it. [[Special:Contributions/70.102.89.181|70.102.89.181]] 04:17, 28 June 2013 (UTC)<br />
:This happens to me too!! Sometimes when I'm writing something, I don't put the closing ), though, I think this happens to most people sometimes. anyway, here's some TI-BASIC code:<br />
:-1→Xmin:1→Xmax<br />
:-1→Ymin:1→Ymax<br />
:AxesOff<br />
:Degrees<br />
:While 1<br />
:For(X,0,359,5<br />
:sin(X-120→A<br />
:sin(X→B<br />
:sin(X+120→C<br />
:Line(0,1,A,.3<br />
:Line(0,1,B,.3<br />
:Line(0,1,C,.3<br />
:Line(0,-1,-A,-.3<br />
:Line(0,-1,-B,-.3<br />
:Line(0,-1,-C,-.3<br />
:Line(.3,A,-.3,-B<br />
:Line(.3,A,-.3,-C<br />
:Line(.3,B,-.3,-A<br />
:Line(.3,B,-.3,-C<br />
:Line(.3,C,-.3,-A<br />
:Line(.3,C,-.3,-B<br />
:End<br />
:End <br />
<br />
:('s: 16<br />
:)'s: 0<br />
:(However, technically there are no ('s, because they are actually part of the For(, sin(, and Line( tokens, not the separate symbol.<br />
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:I '''still''' get syntax errors when programming in other languages! {{unsigned ip|173.245.56.180}}<br />
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<br />
))))))))) aaaahhhh [[User:Plm-qaz snr|Plm-qaz snr]] ([[User talk:Plm-qaz snr|talk]]) 12:39, 27 August 2014 (UTC)<br />
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My hobby is (not really an hobby but a life's work (or calling)) (is explaining in detail (especially detail allowing me to indulge my hobby (not really an hobby but a life's work (or calling) where did this come from>)?<br />
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Damn!<br />
<br />
[[User:Weatherlawyer| I used Google News BEFORE it was clickbait]] ([[User talk:Weatherlawyer|talk]]) 14:44, 24 January 2015 (UTC)<br />
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I know lisp and see the connection, but where in the comic does it actually mention programming? Parentheses are used in ordinary English too, and they also have to be paired with each other. I think this comic is actually about lack of closure in a much more general way. Only the title text brings up programming, but only in the context of parsing strings. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.180|108.162.219.180]] 23:12, 3 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Parsing strings is part of programming. The title text is part of the comic. What is the problem? \[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 16:53, 29 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
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I'd like to mention that Google's result page shows the title of this comic differently from the other xkcd comics. I think Randall broke it. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.161|108.162.237.161]] 04:41, 24 May 2015 (UTC)</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=225:_Open_Source&diff=68257225: Open Source2014-05-28T21:45:45Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 225<br />
| date = February 19, 2007<br />
| title = Open Source<br />
| image = open source.png<br />
| titletext = Later we'll dress up like Big Oil thugs and jump Ralph Nader.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{w|Richard Stallman}} is famous for beginning the {{w|GNU Project}} and is outspoken on the topic of {{w|Open Source software}} and {{w|Free software}}. So much so that he has garnered dislike from traditionalists who believe that software source code is a trade secret. While this dislike may not be at the level of hiring ninjas to remove him from the world, it is strong.<br />
<br />
{{w|GPL}} refers to the 'GNU General Public License', which covers all GNU software. It stipulates software is copyrighted, provided with full source code, and everyone is free to modify, disseminate and even sell software provided they also provide full source code and retain all copyright notices. This makes all software derived from GPL software also GPL, even if 'derived' means 'borrowed a couple of lines of code from'. Many people consider this to make GNU software behave like a {{w|viral license|'license virus'}}.<br />
<br />
The wording "For a GNU dawn!" is pronounced "For a g'new dawn!".<br />
<br />
{{w|Eric S. Raymond}} is a famous {{w|Hacker (programmer subculture)|hacker}} who has been an unofficial spokesperson for Open Source movement. The plan to prank Eric Raymond next is a bad one: he is an experienced martial artist, swordsman, and gun enthusiast.<br />
<br />
{{w|Linus Torvalds}} is the creator of the {{w|Linux kernel}}, an Open Source operating system kernel inspired by {{w|Unix}}.<br />
<br />
{{w|Ralph Nader}} is a famous consumer rights advocate, most famous for the 1965 book {{w|Unsafe at Any Speed}} and for running for US President in 2000.<br />
<br />
At his talk at JCCC3 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHp_Vh9TESU#t=1645] [[Randall]] mentioned that the comic he originally published had the assassins say "Free software" and Richard Stallman says "Open Source sortware". He swapped the two terms after complaints that Richard Stallman was opposed to Open Source [https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html]. Even after this change he got an email from Stallman himself saying that he didn't even wanted to be portrayed in the same comic as the words "Open Source".<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Richard Stallman is sleeping on a bed.]<br />
:[Suddenly, two ninjas jump through the skylight.]<br />
:Ninja 1: Richard Stallman! Your viral open source licenses have grown too powerful.<br />
:Ninja 2: The GPL must be stopped.<br />
:Ninja 1: At the source.<br />
:Ninja 2: You.<br />
<br />
:[Richard Stallman wakes up immediately, and pulls his katana out of its sheath from under his bed.]<br />
:Richard Stallman: Hah! Microsoft lackeys! So it has come to this!<br />
:Richard Stallman: A night of blood I've long awaited. But be this my death or yours, free software will carry on! For a GNU dawn! For freedom!<br />
:Richard Stallman: ...hey, where are you going?<br />
<br />
:[The ninjas step out the window.]<br />
:Ninja 1: Man, you're right, that never gets old.<br />
:Ninja 2: Let's do Eric S. Raymond next.<br />
:Ninja 1: Or Linus Torvalds. I hear he sleeps with nunchucks.<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
*Because of this comic Stallman has been given a katana by fans of xkcd. [http://blog.xkcd.com/2007/04/19/life-imitates-xkcd-part-ii-richard-stallman/]<br />
*The phrase "So it has come to this" is also the topic of [[1022|another xkcd comic]].<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Richard Stallman]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br />
[[Category:Computers]]</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1364:_Like_I%27m_Five&diff=667361364: Like I'm Five2014-05-05T06:17:05Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* Explanation */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1364<br />
| date = May 5, 2014<br />
| title = Like I'm Five<br />
| image = like_im_five.png<br />
| titletext = 'Am I taking care of you? I have a thesis to write!' 'My parents are at their house; you visited last--' 'No, no, explain like you're five.'<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|}}<br />
ELI5, or Explain Like I'm Five (e.g. [http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/ on Reddit]), is a way of asking for a simpler explanation of some difficult topic. In this comic, Megan takes it literally by acting as if Cueball is an actual five year old.<br />
<br />
The title text is a continuation of the conversation. When Cueball attempts to respond to Megan's questions, she asks that he, too, speak as though he is five.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:Cueball: What've you been up to?<br />
:Megan: Doing tons of math for my thesis.<br />
:Cueball: Can you explain it like I'm five?<br />
:Megan: "Oh my god, where are your parents?"<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1363:_xkcd_Phone&diff=66606Talk:1363: xkcd Phone2014-05-02T19:09:15Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
<hr />
<div>I really dislike the tone of the explanation. I mean it's so negative about the features! Not that they are all useful, but isn't this a wiki and should be neutral? It takes also the fun out of it. I would like a screaming while falling phone and the relativity thing would be great for teaching relativity! [[User:RecentlyChanged|RecentlyChanged]] ([[User talk:RecentlyChanged|talk]])<br />
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Where can i get one of these? :D [[User:UniTrader|UniTrader]] ([[User talk:UniTrader|talk]]) 04:11, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure the "scream when falling" thing and the "flightaware" stuff can be done somehow with Tasker. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.103.206|141.101.103.206]] 04:23, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
;Designer?<br />
<br />
I suspect it was either Black Hat or Beret Guy, but I'm not sure which. A collaboration? [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.45|173.245.54.45]] 04:47, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
This sounds like something straight out of aperture. {{unsigned ip|108.162.221.55}}<br />
<br />
;Simulates alternate speeds of light<br />
<br />
Yes, useless as a feature on all the time; but it would be a cool app. [[User:Markhurd|Mark Hurd]] ([[User talk:Markhurd|talk]]) 05:57, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
:Absolutely. Where can I get an app like that?[[Special:Contributions/108.162.225.157|108.162.225.157]] 06:22, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Travelling at above the simulated speed of light should give an imaginary time dilation, not a negative time dilation.<br />
gamma = 1/sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}<br />
Thus, after such travel, the value of the clock would be a complex number. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.35|108.162.219.35]] 15:42, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
'''Changed the speed of light to 2.99x10^8'''<br />
:You guys should probably clarify that the relativisic affects actually depend on how long your trip is or how long you wait to sync your phone. For relativity to be observable on a 12 hour trip, Minimum speed for a phone would have to be 300 m/s or 3000 m/s for the clock to measure even a microsecond/millisecond difference in time. This is well known thanks to the certain [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation#Velocity_and_gravitational_time_dilation_combined-effect_tests time dilation experiments with planes]. Your GPS chip helps account for an error of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Error_analysis_for_the_Global_Positioning_System#Relativity 7 to 47 microseconds per day]. My point is in terms of time dilation, relativity mattering depends on how long a trip or waiting for synchronization is. By synching, I literally mean with the atomic time clock or with a GPS satellite. The synchronization of your phone with satellites is actually a couple of hundred microseconds, so normally even a light changing clock might not have as noticable changes as you might think. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.238.225|108.162.238.225]] 13:49, 2 May 2014 (UTC) --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.238.225|108.162.238.225]] 13:49, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
Yeah sorry forgot to login. does anyone know how to do the indices formatting other than eg 2.99x10(littlex) rather then 2.99x10^x? [[User:Jonv4n|Jonv4n]] ([[User talk:Jonv4n|talk]]) 06:29, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
: Whas<sup>sup</sup>? [[Special:Contributions/141.101.89.220|141.101.89.220]] 07:43, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
'''Phone may attract/trap insects; this is normal.'''<br />
Funnier if you take it as a reference to the [http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/04/07/mazda_issues_recall_because_spiders_invade_fuel_tank_causing_fire_risk.html spider problems] Mazda keeps on having... <br />
<br />
About the attracting insects ... I would expect this to be normal feature in night. Trapping, however ... -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 09:08, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
: There are other indications that the phone is at least partly biological, this being the strongest evidence of that. Insects could be the power source for the biological part(s). [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.45|173.245.54.45]] 14:07, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
'''Siri'''<br />
<br />
Could the Siri bit be a reference to Portal? When I first read it, I remembered this GLaDOS quote: "Your Aperture Science Weighted Companion Cube will never threaten to stab you, and in fact cannot speak. If your Weighted Companion Cube does speak, please disregard its advice." Could be completely wrong; just a thought. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.51|173.245.54.51]] 10:09, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
:Perhaps Siri is beling likened to the "ATMOS" device in the Doctor Who episode "The Sontaran Stratagem" [[User:Esp666|Esp666]] ([[User talk:Esp666|talk]]) 11:20, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Lamest. Comic. Ever. And I'm not just saying that because he doesn't mention the Ubuntu Touch OS. ''– [[User:Tbc|tbc]] ([[User talk:Tbc|talk]]) 12:22, 2 May 2014 (UTC)''<br />
<br />
'''Realistic case'''<br />
<br />
Car telephones and the first cellphones were rather expensive, at least in Germany fake "realistic cases" were sold without any working electronics in it. Usage was to impress silly friends.<br />
<br />
I thought this was aimed at the iPhone. Apparently these have an elegant case, but I have never actually seen one. Everyone I know covers their iPhone with some hideous plastic monstrosity, since the design is not practical.--[[Special:Contributions/108.162.218.59|108.162.218.59]] 14:10, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Could possibly be a reference to the "Realistic" brand, which was used on various products sold by Radio Shack (U.S. electronics retail chain) from 1954 to some time in the '90s.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.219.76|108.162.219.76]] 16:14, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
'''Screaming when in free fall: my first Android app!'''<br />
<br />
I love the bit about screaming when in free fall: that was the first Android app I hacked together back in 2009 (based on the tricorder app). [[User:Nealmcb|Nealmcb]] ([[User talk:Nealmcb|talk]]) 13:49, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
'''Title Text'''<br />
<br />
Hover-over title text was truncated; love it.<br />
14:43, 2 May 2014 (UTC)[[User:Pocono Chuck|Pocono Chuck]] ([[User talk:Pocono Chuck|talk]])<br />
: you must have an really old firefox browser -- you should update !!! [[Special:Contributions/199.27.130.210|199.27.130.210]] 16:23, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
'''Price includes 2-year Knicks contract.''' ... but a contract with the Knicks would only appeal to pro basketball players.<br />
<br />
Nonsense. Lots of "regular" folks would buy this phone it it meant they got to play in the NBA. [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.84|199.27.128.84]] 16:26, 2 May 2014 (UTC)<br />
<br />
"Your mobile world just went digital" is an inversion of the marketing-speak that was common when what we'd now regard as smartphones first began to be adopted by the mainstream (iPhone/G1 era, since Symbians, Blackberries, and early WinMo tended to be business or enthusiast devices). People already ubiquitously e-mailed, browsed the Web, etc...what was presented as 'new' was that you could now do it from your phone. [[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 19:09, 2 May 2014 (UTC)</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1037:_Umwelt&diff=599821037: Umwelt2014-02-14T01:20:05Z<p>173.245.54.58: /* Snake */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1037<br />
| date = April 1, 2012<br />
| title = Umwelt<br />
| before = [[#Explanation|↓ Skip to explanation ↓]]<br />
| image = umwelt.png<br />
| titletext = Umwelt is the idea that because their senses pick up on different things, different animals in the same ecosystem actually live in very different worlds. Everything about you shapes the world you inhabit--from your ideology to your glasses prescription to your web browser.<br />
}}<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{Incomplete|Many of the strips are not explained}}<br />
An {{w|umwelt|Umwelt}}, as the title text explains, is the idea that ones entire way of thinking is dependent on their surroundings. Thus, this {{w|April Fools}} comic changes based on the browser, location, or referrer. Thus, what the viewer is viewing the comic on, where they live, or where they came from determines which comic they actually see. As a result, there are actually multiple comics that went up on April Fools' Day (although only one is seen).<br />
<br />
===Featureless Swirl===<br />
If the device or browser you are using does not support Javascript, you will simply see a static image of a white swirl on a dark background.<br />
<br />
===Aurora===<br />
The joke here is either that Canadians, where the comic was shown, would regard the {{w|Aurora (astronomy)|Aurora Borealis}} as normal and thus, would not've seen the sight as particularly amazing, or that XKCD characters see in black and white and would not notice the colors.<br />
Alternately, one could interpret that since Megan didn't go out and therefore missed seeing the Aurora, the main character lied. That way, she wouldn't have felt sad that she missed out.<br />
<br />
===Snake===<br />
The joke here is the extreme length of snakes. The world's longest snake is the python, the longest ever being 33 feet or approx. 10 meters. The red and blue circles refer to the hit game {{w|Portal}}.<br />
There is also a reference to the book "The Little Prince" in the second panel.<br />
<br />
Also, the number and content of the panels changes depending on the size of your browser window.<br />
<br />
===Black Hat===<br />
An analyst attempts to psychoanalyze [[Black Hat|Black Hat's]] [[72: Classhole|classhole]] tendencies. The joke here is that the turtle has actually been turned over and neither sees helping it as a priority.<br />
It's a reference to the Voight-Kampff test used in the movie Blade Runner (1982) to identify replicants.<br />
<br />
===Too Quiet===<br />
A reference to {{w|Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park}} which has been [[87: Velociraptors|constantly]] [[135: Substitute|referred]] [[1110: Click and Drag|to]] [[155: Search History|before]] [[758: Raptor Fences|in]] this comic.<br />
<br />
Also referencing the film {{w|2 Fast 2 Furious|2 Fast 2 Furious}}, an entertaining, yet intellectually unprovoking sequel in a popular film franchise, which is aimed at teenagers and young adults, prompting the blunt response from the stickman. The fact that Steve would use such a cliché {{w|2000s (decade)|noughties}} movie term in such an intense moment, and the subsequent curse, is the joke in this comic.<br />
<br />
===Galaxies===<br />
This is a joke on [[Megan|Megan's]] normally existentialist attitude. Whereas normally, she might be freaked out by the vastness of space, in this case, she can actually see the galaxies in question, and is furthermore weirded out by the fact that they seem to have a grudge against [[Cueball]].<br />
<br />
===xkcd Gold===<br />
This is probably a reference to the 4chan Gold Account, an implementation on 4chan that does not actually exist, and is usually used to trick newcomers into revealing their credit card numbers. The joke is that "Gold Account" users can supposedly block other users from viewing images they have posted. The fifth panel is probably a reference to Beecock, a notorious set of shocker images. 4chan's moderators have been known to give out "beecock bans" to particularly annoying users, which redirect the user to a page containing beecock and the text "OH NO THE BOARD IS GONE".<br />
<br />
===Germany===<br />
This comic references the {{w|Berlin airlift#The start of the Berlin Airlift|Berlin Airlift}}, a relief measure for citizens in West Berlin (surrounded by East Germany) instituted by the Western Allies after World War II. In reality, the Western Allies flew a grand total of 500,000 tons of food over the Soviet blockade in planes. Randall puts a twist on this event by making it more fun: dropping supplies from a grand chairlift. The play on words is that "chairlift" rhymes with "airlift" and thus makes an easy substitution. The chair force is also a name that other service branches use to make fun of the air force.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
[Two people...]<br />
{Note to courageous readers- The transcript has been reordered in the order in which the comics appear in the picture and appropriate names have been given}<br />
<br />
===The void===<br />
[An epic void with a bright light shining right on you.]<br />
<br />
===Aurora===<br />
[Person heading out past another person comfortably sitting in front of a desk.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Apparently there's a solar flare that's causing some Great Aurorae. CBC says they may even be visible here! Wanna drive out to see?<br />
<br />
Person 2: Hockey's on.<br />
<br />
Person 1: Ok. Later.<br />
<br />
[An expansive, marvelous image of emerald green northern lights, floating down through the sky.]<br />
<br />
Person 2: See anything?<br />
<br />
Person 1: No, just clouds.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Not surprised.<br />
<br />
===Snake===<br />
[Two people standing next to each other. One is holding the head end of a snake. Depending on the width of your browser, the snake is: three frames, the third of which has a little bit of a bump; the first frame has a human-size bump, the second has a third person looking at the snake, and the third has the snake going though two Portals; a squirrel and the human-size bump in the first frame, a ring next to the third person in the second frame, and Beret Guy riding the snake in front of the portal; or The squirrel, a fourth person within the snake being coiled, and the human bump in the first frame, the ring, a fifth person in love, and the third person in the second frame, Beret Guy and the portal in the third frame, and the same two people in the fourth frame.]<br />
<br />
Person holding snake head: I found a snake, but then I forgot to stop.<br />
<br />
===Black hat===<br />
[Two people sitting at a desk. One is Black Hat Guy. The other is an analyst. Black Hat Guy has a number of terminals attached to his head.]<br />
<br />
Analyst: You come across a tortoise in the desert. You flip it over. It struggles to right itself. You watch. You're not helping. Why is that? <br />
<br />
Black Hat Guy: It *knows* what it did.<br />
<br />
[View of the entire scene, with said turtle off in the distance on its back and trying to right itself.]<br />
<br />
===Too quiet===<br />
[A group of four scale down a wall into a field in the middle of the night. They walk off single-file.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: It's quiet.<br />
<br />
Person 3: Yeah - *Too* quiet.<br />
<br />
[A Velociraptor is off in the distance, following the group.]<br />
<br />
Person 4: Yeah - too *too* quiet.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Yeah - 2quiet2furious.<br />
<br />
Person 1: Fuck off, Steve.<br />
<br />
===Pond===<br />
[A landscape showing a pond, some reeds, and a set of mountains off in the distance.]<br />
<br />
===Galaxies===<br />
[A trio of galaxies.]<br />
<br />
Galaxy 1: He's not looking!<br />
<br />
Galaxy 3: Let's get him!<br />
<br />
[Lines draw in illustrating the eye-line of one of a pair of people.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: So he said he didn't get the text, but c'mon, he *never* misses texts. Right? ..hello?<br />
<br />
Person 2: I'm just staring at your head freaked out by th efact that there are millions of galaxies *directly behind it*.<br />
<br />
===xkcd Gold/Beehive part 1===<br />
<br />
[Person holding bat.]<br />
<br />
Person: Sorry, but this comic<br />
<br />
[Person starts to wind up.]<br />
<br />
requires<br />
<br />
[Person prepares to strike with bat.]<br />
<br />
XKCD<br />
<br />
[Person swings at a beehive.]<br />
<br />
GOLD<br />
<br />
===Beehive part 2===<br />
[Penis Bees fly out of the beehive.]<br />
<br />
===Yo mamma===<br />
[Person yells at another person.]<br />
<br />
Person 1;Oh yeah? Well you mama's so *cynical*, her only dog ballast is a *leash*!<br />
<br />
(This comic takes place in a dystopian future where the government is afraid dogs can hover, so it requires them to wear weights at all times, and some people privately doubt the government, but not enough to stop buying dog weights)<br />
<br />
===Reddit===<br />
Five seconds ago:<br />
<br />
[You sitting in front of a desk, reading a reddit thread]<br />
<br />
You: Oh, hey, reddit has a link to some XKCD april fools comic.<br />
<br />
Now: [An image of this very page]<br />
<br />
Five seconds from now:<br />
<br />
You: ..hey<br />
<br />
30 seconds from now:<br />
<br />
[DANCE PARTY!]<br />
<br />
===Buns and Hotdogs===<br />
<br />
Person: What I wanna know is why do hot dogs come in packages of six while buns come in these huge sacks of ash and blood from which "Ave Maria" is faintly audible?<br />
<br />
[Chanting sacks of gore in the background.]<br />
<br />
===Twitter===<br />
[A Twitter account page with the following: Many tweets, fewer following, even fewer followers, A bunch of assholes in the suggested follow box, trending topics partitioned into: Word Games, Misogyny, and Bieber, stuff your eyes automatically ignore, A really pleasant blue. and the timeline: Something about a podcast, Someone confused because the description doesn't match the link, The link you clicked on to get to this comic, Rob Delaney, Passive Aggression, and horse_ebooks.]<br />
<br />
===Wikipedia===<br />
[There's no comic here because instead of drawing one, I spent the last hour reading every news story cited in the Wikipedia article on "The Mile High Club"]<br />
<br />
===Google Chrome===<br />
[A Chrome plugin error page]<br />
<br />
Chrome: This plugin requires Sergey Brin's permission to run. Please wait while he is woken.<br />
<br />
===Chrome/Firefox===<br />
[Two people; one is sitting at a desk in front of a laptop.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Man, chrome's hardware acceleration really sucks.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Oh - Theres' a great add-on that fixes it.<br />
<br />
Person 1: Oh? What's it called?<br />
<br />
Person 2: "Firefox".<br />
<br />
===Google Chrome-2===<br />
[A Chrome plugin error page with the characteristic jigsaw piece.]<br />
<br />
Chrome: Chrome is looking for this piece. Have you seen it? Chrome thinks it links up with a corner.<br />
<br />
===Mozilla Firefox Private Browsing===<br />
[Firefox error page.]<br />
<br />
Firefox: Well, this is embarrassing. You know how I'm not supposed to peek at your browsing in private mode? Firefox.. is sorry. Firefox will not blame you if you<br />
<br />
[button with text]<br />
<br />
click here to report this incident.<br />
<br />
===Internet Explorer===<br />
[IE error page]<br />
<br />
IE: Error: Internet Explorer has given up.<br />
<br />
===Maxthon===<br />
Person: Maxthon? Hey, 2005 called. Didn't say anything. All I could hear was sobbing. This is getting harder. Anyway, yeah, Maxthon's still cool! Didn't know it was still around!<br />
<br />
===Netscape Navigator===<br />
[Person with tentacle arms.]<br />
<br />
Person: Netscape Navigator? Hey, the nineties called - drunk as usual. I hung up without saying anything. This is getting harder. Anyway - it's cool that you'e got netscape running.<br />
<br />
===Rockmelt===<br />
[Person running to laptop.]<br />
<br />
I ran to Rockmelt to hide my face<br />
<br />
[Person sitting at laptop.]<br />
<br />
But Rockmelt cried out -<br />
<br />
[Laptop shouting]<br />
<br />
NO HIDING PLACE<br />
<br />
[zoom out]<br />
<br />
NO HIDING PLACE DOWN HERE<br />
<br />
===Google Chrome-4===<br />
[A chrome plugin error page.]<br />
<br />
Chrome: There does not exist --nor could there *ever* exist-- a plugin capable of displaying this content.<br />
<br />
===Microsoft/Amazon/The Times/Google - Chrome===<br />
[Chrome error page.]<br />
<br />
Chrome: This plugin requires clearance from the corporate press office in order to run. Remember, Microsoft/Amazon/The Times/Google is a team; individual employees should *never* speak for the company without authorization.<br />
<br />
===Military===<br />
[Person looking at two browser windows.]<br />
<br />
I know y'all know what you're doing. But if you're on a military machine and you're supposed to be watching for missiles or something, I hope you're keeping an eye on that in the background while you're reading comics. Also: Thanks.<br />
<br />
===T-Mobile===<br />
[Error page]<br />
<br />
Data Error: T-Mobile was unable to establish a connection<br />
<br />
===AT&T/Verizon===<br />
[Error page] Error; You have exceeded your AT&T/Verizon monthly bandwidth cap. Mobile web browsing has been disabled.<br />
<br />
===France===<br />
[Two people; one of which is browsing using a laptop.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Hey, you're French, right? Ever see what happens when you type "French Military Victories" into Google?<br />
<br />
French person: Does it take you to an article on Napoleon?<br />
<br />
French person: ..no? Strange, given how he kicked everyone's asses up and down europe for over a decade.<br />
<br />
[beat]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Touche.<br />
<br />
French person: You know, that'd sound smarter if you didn't pronounce it like it rhymes with "douche".<br />
<br />
===Germany===<br />
[A person dropping food from an unorthodox high perch.]<br />
<br />
June 1948: In response to the Soviet blockade of East Germany, the western allies construct the Berlin Chairlift.<br />
<br />
Person on chairlift: Food!<br />
<br />
===Israel===<br />
[Person on phone]<br />
<br />
(Translation from Hebrew)<br />
<br />
Person: Mom, I met a great guy! But he's not Jewish. ... Wait, what do you mean "neither are we"? I'm completely confused.<br />
<br />
===Carnot Cycle===<br />
[Person on a motorcycle with a heat-entropy graph on the side.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Check out my new Carnot Cycle!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Neat -- how fast does it go?<br />
<br />
Person 1: Depends how cold it is outside.<br />
<br />
===Great Britain===<br />
[Illustration of the atlantic ocean.]<br />
<br />
American person: Sorry I don't have a comic poking fun at the UK here. I only had time to get to the most *important* US states.<br />
<br />
British person: Hey -- At least we have free health care and real ale.<br />
<br />
===Earthquake-Blizzard===<br />
[Two people sitting at a desk, facing each other. The desk rattles.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Stop jiggling your leg.<br />
<br />
Person 2: I'm not ji-.. oh!<br />
<br />
Person 1: What!<br />
<br />
Person 2: You'll get it..<br />
<br />
[EVERYTHING RUMBLES]<br />
<br />
Person 1: ..HOLY CRAP IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Just a little one. Happens all the time back in San Francisco.<br />
<br />
Person 1: But this is {Options: "Alabama", "Boston", "Chicago", "Dallas", "Georgia", "Halifax", "Illinois", "Michigan", "Minnesota", "Missouri", "the Northeast", "Ohio", "Oklahoma", "Ottawa", 'Pennsylvania", "Philadelphia", "Texas", "Toronto", "Tennessee", "New York", "Wisconsin"}! That was huge!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Seriously? That's the worst this place can do? Wow. I guess we grow up tougher in California.<br />
<br />
Person 1: Oh *really*... Six Months Later..<br />
<br />
[Both people are trudging through a massive blizzard.]<br />
<br />
Person 2: In pictures, snow always looked so nice and sof -- AAAA! MY NECK! How do people live here?!<br />
<br />
Person 1: Come on - it's only three more miles.<br />
<br />
===Earthquake-Tornado===<br />
[Two people sitting at a desk, facing each other. The desk rattles.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Stop jiggling your leg.<br />
<br />
Person 2: I'm not ji-.. oh!<br />
<br />
Person 1: What! Person 2: You'll get it..<br />
<br />
[EVERYTHING RUMBLES]<br />
<br />
Person 1: ..HOLY CRAP IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Just a little one. Happens all the time back in San Francisco.<br />
<br />
Person 1: But this is {Options: "Alabama", "Dallas", "Illinois", "The Midwest", "Missouri", "Ohio", "Oklahoma", "Ottawa", "Tennessee", "Texas"}!<br />
<br />
That was huge!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Seriously? That's the worst this place can do? Wow. I guess we grow up tougher in California.<br />
<br />
Person 1: Oh *really*...<br />
<br />
Six Months Later..<br />
<br />
[Both people are in a shelter in a prairie with a rapidly-approaching tornado.]<br />
<br />
Person 2: AAAA CLOSE THE SHELTER DOOR!<br />
<br />
Person 1: Say the magic words...<br />
<br />
Person 2: THIS PLACE IS THE WORST!<br />
<br />
Person 1: Thank you.<br />
<br />
===Lake Diver Killer===<br />
[TV Field Reporter in front of a cordoned-off lake.]<br />
<br />
Police divers searching the bay say they have recovered thebody of another victim of the "Lake Diver Killer" During the search, three more divers were reported missing.<br />
<br />
===Washington===<br />
[The statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial.]<br />
<br />
In this Marble Prison As in the nightmares of the nation they tried to devour The nanobots that constituted Abraham Lincoln Are entombed forever.<br />
<br />
===Alaska===<br />
[A snowy Alaskan field.]<br />
<br />
Person: Some people hunt wolves from helicopters. I hunt helicopters from a wolf.<br />
<br />
===Life in lab===<br />
[Newspaper headline.]<br />
<br />
Scientists/UMass Amherst students/RIT students create life in lab<br />
<br />
[caption under picture of scientists.]<br />
<br />
"The trick was fuckin'"<br />
<br />
===American Revolution===<br />
Robot Paul Revere: Remember: Zero if by land, One if by sea.<br />
<br />
===MIT===<br />
[Two people in front of a group of students.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: I've hired a team of MIT students to count cards for us.<br />
<br />
Person 2: We'll be rich!<br />
<br />
[Person 2 deals some cards while the students watch.]<br />
<br />
[The gears turn..]<br />
<br />
Student: Five. There are five cards.<br />
<br />
Person 1: I see their admission standards have been slipping.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Yeah - there are actually four.<br />
<br />
===MIT Course 15c===<br />
[Two people in front of a group of students.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: I've hired a team of MIT students to count cards for us.<br />
<br />
Person 2: We'll be rich!<br />
<br />
[Person 2 deals some cards while the students watch.]<br />
<br />
[The gears turn..]<br />
<br />
Student: Five. There are five cards.<br />
<br />
Person 1: I *knew* we shouldn't have picked course 15s.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Yeah - there are actually four.<br />
<br />
===Smith/Wellesley===<br />
[Two people in front of a group of students.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: I've hired a team of Smith/Wellesley students to count cards for us.<br />
<br />
Person 2: We'll be rich!<br />
<br />
[Person 2 deals some cards while the students watch.]<br />
<br />
[The gears turn..]<br />
<br />
Student: Five. There are five cards.<br />
<br />
Person 1: We should've gone with Wellesley/Smith.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Yeah - there are actually four.<br />
<br />
===CNU===<br />
[Person unsuspectingly strolls under a giant box trap controlled by a Trible.]<br />
<br />
I worry that CNU only invited me back as a ruse because they realized I never turned in my final paper and want my diploma back. But if it turns out it's for real, I'll see you Wednesday at the Ferguson!<br />
<br />
===Dana Farber===<br />
[Cueball, pointing towards head.]<br />
<br />
Cueball: Check it out - In support of people going through chemo, i shaved my head.<br />
<br />
Lots of love to everyone reading this at Dana Farber. Cancer sucks. If you are new to DCFI, there's a great little garden on the third floor of the yawkey if you need somewhere quiet to just sit for a little bit and breathe.<br />
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===Earthquake-Hurricane===<br />
[Two people sitting at a desk, facing each other. The desk rattles.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Stop jiggling your leg.<br />
<br />
Person 2: I'm not ji-.. oh!<br />
<br />
Person 1: What! Person 2: You'll get it..<br />
<br />
[EVERYTHING RUMBLES]<br />
<br />
Person 1: ..HOLY CRAP IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Just a little one. Happens all the time back in San Francisco.<br />
<br />
Person 1: But this is {Options: "D.C", "Florida", "Houston", "Miami", "New Jersey", "North Carolina", "South Carolina", "Virgina"}! That was huge!<br />
<br />
Person 2: Seriously? That's the worst this place can do? Wow. I guess we grow up tougher in California.<br />
<br />
Person 1: Oh *really*...<br />
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Six Months Later..<br />
<br />
[Both are in the middle of a hurricane. Person 2 is grabbing onto a signpost to avoid being swept away.]<br />
<br />
Person 2: AAAAA WHAT THE SHIIIIT!<br />
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Person 1: Calm down - this is barely a category 2.<br />
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===Corporate===<br />
[Error page]<br />
<br />
Error: This plugin requires clearance from the corporate press office in order to run. Remember, we work as a team; individual employees should *never* speak for the company without authorization.<br />
<br />
===Microsoft/Amazon - Firefox===<br />
[Firefox error page]<br />
<br />
Chrome: This plugin requires clearance from the corporate press office in order to run. Remember, Microsoft/Amazon is a team; individual employees should *never* speak for the company without authorization.<br />
<br />
===Microsoft/The Times===<br />
[Error page]<br />
<br />
Error: This plugin requires clearance from the corporate press office in order to run. Remember, Microsoft/The Times is a team; individual employees should *never* speak for the company without authorization.<br />
<br />
===Aurora-US===<br />
[Person heading out past another person comfortably sitting in front of a desk.]<br />
<br />
Person 1: Apparently there's a solar storm causing northern lights over Canada. CNN say they might even be visible {Options: "As Far South As Us", "Here in Boston", "Maine", "Ohio", "Oregon", "New York"}! Wanna drive out to see?<br />
Person 2: It's cold out.<br />
Person 1: Ok. Later.<br />
<br />
[An expansive, marvelous image of emerald green northern lights, floating down through the sky.]<br />
<br />
Person 2: See anything?<br />
<br />
Person 1: No, just clouds.<br />
<br />
Person 2: Not surprised.<br />
<br />
==Trivia==<br />
*Reddit user [http://www.reddit.com/user/SomePostMan SomePostMan] created a [http://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/comments/t6wmh/all_umwelt_1037_comics_in_two_imgur_albums/ post] that collected all of the Umwelt comics and added explanations.<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
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[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]<br />
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[[Category:Comics with color]]<br />
[[Category:Dynamic comics]]<br />
[[Category:April fool's comics]]<br />
[[Category:Philosophy]]<br />
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[[Category:Velociraptors]]</div>173.245.54.58https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1290:_Syllable_Planning&diff=52669Talk:1290: Syllable Planning2013-11-13T16:40:48Z<p>173.245.54.58: </p>
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<div>I remember my father telling me when I was a teenager about a scholarly paper that described this exact topic, namely the rules governing where 'fucking' can be injected into multi-syllable words. I still remember discussing the options for "fantastic" and "government". Decades later I had a dream about words like "uninstallable" (which can either mean something that can be uninstalled or something that can't be uninstalled), and discovering that someone had written a paper about that very subject (http://www.hum.au.dk/engelsk/engsv/papers/vikn08b.pdf). [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.127|199.27.128.127]] 06:00, 13 November 2013 (UTC) Toby Ovod-Everett<br />
: Think you mean "... can be uninstalled or .... can't be installed". --[[Special:Contributions/173.245.51.227|173.245.51.227]] 06:42, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
Surely the question is which words benefit from the effing emphasis? Fan-effing-tastic is a natural, but with 'government' I wouldn't try...I'd just say 'effing government (what a bunch of wankers, bastards, mongrels, etc)'.[[User:Anff59|Anff59]] ([[User talk:Anff59|talk]]) 07:37, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
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This immediately made me think about "Legen -wait for it- dary", one of the key phrases that 'Barney' uses in {{w|How I Met Your Mother}}. [[User:Kaa-ching|Kaa-ching]] ([[User talk:Kaa-ching|talk]]) 08:31, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
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In case you want to go hunting for papers, it's actually got a name in linguistics: "fucking insertion". Not a good Google word unfortunately. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.231.30|108.162.231.30]] 08:42, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
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:The correct linguistical term is {{w|tmesis}}. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.208|141.101.98.208]] 09:58, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
::Darnit. Ninjaed. (With a note that this also includes phrasal infixings.) [[Special:Contributions/141.101.99.210|141.101.99.210]] 10:04, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
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http://home.uchicago.edu/~vfriedm/Articles/020Friedman79.pdf for some good insight on the differences between Russian and American swearing. Including inserting fucking in between syllables.<br />
--[[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.183|199.27.128.183]] 08:59, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
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I think the title text is referring to the word absolutely, which would mean he left only one syllable again. It just seems nonsensical to think that he was saying absolute and not absolutely. --[[Special:Contributions/108.162.238.5|108.162.238.5]] 11:01, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
:Agreed, don't think anyone would ever make a tmesis out of the word 'absolute' as opposed to 'absolutely'. I've changed the explanation accordingly.[[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.228|141.101.98.228]] 12:58, 13 November 2013 (UTC)<br />
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It's generally pointless to argue as to what a "standard" pronunciation is, but I question how flatly "unbelievable" is pronounced in the general American population, as opposed to the robotic-voiced-pronunciation-aid-audio-file population. Especially when pronounced heatedly, there tends to be distinct stress placed on either the first or the third syllable - a regional difference or subtle denotative difference, maybe. I think the existence of both un-fucking-believable and unbe-fucking-lievable is simply a matter of one following the "insert between prefix and root" rule and the other following the "insert before stressed (in this case third) syllable" rule, rather than being because 'unbelievable' is somehow an abnormally flattened word. --[[Special:Contributions/173.245.54.58|173.245.54.58]] 16:40, 13 November 2013 (UTC)</div>173.245.54.58