Map Thread XV
- Thread starter rvbomally
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Every single year I complain mightily about how the number of fantastic maps we have on this site is too staggering to possibly pick just one Turtledove winner, or for any individual to pick just one nomination. And, every year I complete the honour of scrolling through 500 or so pages of maps to highlight the best of them for people to remember (and hopefully nominate for a Turtledove). This year I'm going to stop picking my favourites and use the ones people have liked the most, so without further ado, 2016 in Maps:
And, because I'M the one that spent 3 hours creating this list, I will topple the tyranny of my pre-established rules and offer some Honourable Mentions! HAH, what do you think of THAT!?
I highly highly highly recommend you peruse through most (or preferably all) of these links and give these fantastic maps a secound round of appreciation. Also, if you haven't thrown in a nomination or second yet for the Turtledoves, why not toss one of these over there?
So, that's another year of me lurking. Thanks for the wonderful maps folks.
- Alex Richards' Global British Raj 69 likes
- Upvoteanthology's Empire of the Plantagenets in 1784 AD 66 likes
- Upvoteanthology's Asia in 1939 62 likes
- Falkanner's Yazirid Dynasty 59 likes
- Chairwoman Roxelana's South AmericAfrica 58 likes
- Aven's Czech Silesia 55 likes
- JoeyB2198's The State of California 55 likes
- maonsie's Henri's Crossing 54 likes
- Upvoteanthology's Bohemian Rhapsody 52 likes
- Blomma's Soviet Union 52 likes
- Tsochar's Two Hundred Earths 52 likes
- Blomma's Hugo Preuss' Reorganisation of Deutsches Reich 51 likes
- Upvoteanthology's Litirland in 1700 AD 46 likes
- Zek Sora's The Philippines: Through Trial and Tears 45 likes
- Ephraim Ben Raphael's Political Map of Our Solar System 45 likes
- Keperry's Revenge of the Guays! 43 likes
- Chairwoman Roxelana's AfricAmerica del Sur 43 likes
- fjhr's WI: No French Exodus Alternate History Alternate History 41 likes
- Upvoteanthology's TL North America in 1800 AD 41 likes
- theman7777's USSR including the PRC 40 likes
- Libaton's Republic of Korea 40 likes
- Beedok's Planet L 40 likes
- Osk's The Escape of Dar Astrap 40 likes
- SRegan's Atlantean migration period 39 likes
- Nanwe's Carte de La France 39 likes
- Beedok's Planet I 39 likes
- Falkanner's Verdelingland 38 likes
- CourageousLife's The Second World War Atlantean Theater 38 likes
- Anekcahdep's China-Rome Role Swap 38 likes
- ADS94's Animated 300+ Year History of New England County Organisation 38 likes
- Tsochar's Russia-style organisation of the USA 38 likes
- Beedok's Planet G 38 likes
- Ephraim Ben Raphael's SYNCO 37 likes
- Tsar of New Zealand's North America and Environs 37 likes
- Serafim's Maps of the Solar System, Major Colonies and History 37 likes
- Beedok's Planet K 37 likes
- Zek Sora's Principality of Verona 36 likes
- SRegan's Republic of Liberia 36 likes
- Milites' Maratha States within trincely Federation 35 likes
- zalezsky's Colonization of The New World 35 likes
- Mumby's Valley Authorities of the former USA 35 likes
- moxn's Anglo-American Federation 35 likes
- moxn's Apocalyptic Africa in 2000 AD 34 likes
- Upvoteanthology's OTL West Africa in C. 1200 34 likes
- DPKdebator's Southern New England in the year 2115, A.D. 34 likes
- Liege's Bozh'ya Volya 33 likes
- ToixStory's The Land of Neon and Northern Lights 33 likes
- Ephraim Ben Raphael's Union of Socialist Raterepublics 33 likes
And, because I'M the one that spent 3 hours creating this list, I will topple the tyranny of my pre-established rules and offer some Honourable Mentions! HAH, what do you think of THAT!?
- Rubberducky3y6's Independent State of (Dani) California
- Jcw3's Canadian ISOT (in case you haven't noticed, the honourable mentions are just ones I like)
- ToixStory's The Land of Eternal Twilight
- Gian's Deglaciated Antarctica
- Serafim's Maximum Power Ukraine
- Gian's Community Map of phil03's Maritime TL
I highly highly highly recommend you peruse through most (or preferably all) of these links and give these fantastic maps a secound round of appreciation. Also, if you haven't thrown in a nomination or second yet for the Turtledoves, why not toss one of these over there?
So, that's another year of me lurking. Thanks for the wonderful maps folks.
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It is worthy of a separate topic
I did not think that it would cause so much interest
It very well might be, but I do this in celebration of the Map Thread so as a comment in the Map Thread I'm fine with it staying.
Witch0Winter
Banned
Yay, I'm on there twice, thank you very much for the honourable mention.
Also I feel at least somewhat satisfied that one of my first maps of the new year would come in near the top of the list had I submitted it earlier. 
Gian
Banned
I really love the honorable mentions. I really wish there was also more of my maps (like the AH Britain and Switzerland maps) in there as well.
Jcw3
Banned
Issue is, almost all of them would wind up identical to the Vermont map. 'Yeah, it's alright. Couple of successor states, United States reformed. Whoopdie doo.'
I'm working on a world map for Elysium right now, so I won't be making an ISOT map for a while.
Okay, so if you do make another USA ISoT... Use abnormal-ish states. Montana, Wyoming, Idaho maybe? Only parts of states? Hmm.
Upvoteanthology
Donor
Here's a small map I made, in a world with a much stronger Holy Roman Empire. Maybe it fits into my "Bohemian Rhapsody" MotF submission world? Anyway, here's a super-teeny blurb:
"On January 15th, 2017, incumbent Head-Minister of the Neuerömisch Republic Vinzenz Theismann lost the national election to Liberale Berndt Stengelin. Most historians attribute this to the dying sense of conservatism that had been slowly declining in Neuerom since its peak in the 1960's. Stengelin, the candidate closest following the "Interaktiv" ideology of his party since Josua Erhard in the 1972 election, managed to use it to his advantage, winning the populous (and normally-conservative) Roswithea Province, which gained him 21 electoral votes. Meanwhile, Cäcilie Geller of the Weizen Party won the provinces of Buchheim and Westenland, the first third-party candidate to win a province in over seventy years. She was also the first female candidate to win any provinces in Neuerömisch history. Truly, the 2017 election will go down in history as the day the Konservativ Party died once and for all."
Cäcilie Geller (Wiezen Party) - 10 EV
Vinzenz Theismann (Konservativ Party) - 60 EV
Berndt Stengelin (Liberale Party) - 79 EV
Anyway, here's a super-teeny blurb:"On January 15th, 2017, incumbent Head-Minister of the Neuerömisch Republic Vinzenz Theismann lost the national election to Liberale Berndt Stengelin. Most historians attribute this to the dying sense of conservatism that had been slowly declining in Neuerom since its peak in the 1960's. Stengelin, the candidate closest following the "Interaktiv" ideology of his party since Josua Erhard in the 1972 election, managed to use it to his advantage, winning the populous (and normally-conservative) Roswithea Province, which gained him 21 electoral votes. Meanwhile, Cäcilie Geller of the Weizen Party won the provinces of Buchheim and Westenland, the first third-party candidate to win a province in over seventy years. She was also the first female candidate to win any provinces in Neuerömisch history. Truly, the 2017 election will go down in history as the day the Konservativ Party died once and for all."
Cäcilie Geller (Wiezen Party) - 10 EV
Vinzenz Theismann (Konservativ Party) - 60 EV
Berndt Stengelin (Liberale Party) - 79 EV
Jcw3
Banned
That's not to say that all of the states would end up the same, just most of them. I could probably have fun making most of the maps. Hell, I could do 50 maps virtually the same as Vermont, and I'd still enjoy it about as much as I did the original. Not sure the rest of you would. Not to say it wouldn't be interesting, it's just that the most plausible outcome is the state reforms America and eventually other homesteader states form.
'Okay, guys, number 29. West Virginia ISOTed to a Virgin Earth. Pretty much the same as the last one, Washington rebuilt, 1950s tech level. There's currently a war going on between America and a small homesteader republic called Rapshire, it won't last very long.'
Stuff like that. I feel like it would get old fast.
Jcw3
Banned
How about ISOTing single states from different USAs?
Conflict is a good thing in ISOT maps. It's why I (and I think more people than usual) liked doing the 1930 Europe series.
Issue is that there aren't enough states from different USAs that everyone knows. You wind up with the inside joke problem.
I'm five pages late already! Oh well- here's something for the new thread- basically a first attempt at a conlang style development that grew into a map-
In this universe, the first Anglo-Saxon King to convert to Christianity (Ethelbert of Kent) is killed soon after by a rival brother who in OTL died in infancy. With him, the Archbishopric at Canterbury and most Christian-converts are killed, as well as the King's wife- a member of the Frankish Royalty. Subsequent Frankish attempts to conquer England (pulled over four centuries ahead of OTL's schedule) lack William the Conquerer's combination of Nordic and Roman fighting styles, and end mostly in defeat (though by the end of the 8th century Cornwall is a Frankish vassal, owing to support from Irish allies on the other side of England). For the duration of the 7th and 8th centuries, England unites roughly as it does in our world as a non-Christian monarchy. Though there are many attempts to bring the monarchy to Christianity, the Pagan elite slowly solidify their opposition and organization.
From this time, the elites of England (and also Scotland) actively reject the Christian world- organizing a developing their own traditions (for instance, decreeing the use of an alphabet intended to look like Runes rather than the Roman script). Jews and Gnostic Christians are given refuge on the island, and in the following centuries an influx of Pagans from Scandinavia, Lithuania, and even Russia gives the island a bit of a multi-cultural flair, developing it quicker that OTL.
Though William has been butterflied, in 1187 amidst the Crusades a Norman King receives the Pope's blessing in conquering Britain, and does so successfully. Right from the start, the Norman King's must balance their desire to please the Pope with converts and their desire to maintain order over a now more staunchly non-Christian population. By 1400, an informal constitution allowing the local 'Ossians' rights to their customs is in place, and Scotland (an Ossian majority place) is an independent ally. The Irish hate England far worse than in OTL, and Norman King's efforts to take care of revolting Irish and revolting Ossians ends up in the resettlement of quite a lot of Ossians. By the 1400s, enough Ossians have risen through the (somewhat meritocratic) ranks of the aristocracy to make the Pope unhappy.
In 1789, Fresh off the conquest of the new world, the triple monarchy of Francia-Beligica-Germania (Belgica being the Low countries), uses its wealth to have a much bloodier conquest and holy war towards conquering Britain. Most of the existing Christian populations side with the Ossian majority (even uniting under an Ossian leader who acts on the King's behalf), but with enough cash the continental forces are successful (Iria, or Ireland, is quite happy to be freed).
As the triple Empire breaks up at the dawn of the 20th century, various plans are put forward for Britain's future. Though long campaigning for local-rule together with their Ossian counterparts, the Christian minorities eventually buy into politicians calling for an independent Christian homeland on the isles. Dumnonia, Wales, Isle (of Wight), Cornwall, Atrebatia, and Durotricia were eventually chosen to be, along with Iria, part of a Christian homeland. Dwicadia, as it came to be called, separated from the rest of the new Republic of Britain.
Following this event, there was a painful period of rioting, homegrown death squads, and reignited religious division on both sides, resulting in significant population transfers. Dwicadia suspended its own constitution for the first thirty years of rule, and since then has remained a quasi-junta state with a state religion. Though far more linguistically diverse than OTL, the entirety of the British Isles came under one official language (based off of the London dialect), though don't tell anyone that. Despite being the same in spoken and vernacular forms, both sides changed their language tremendously. The 'Royal Language of the Christian Court', or Royeauish embraced Latin and French and was written in the Latin Alphabet, while the 'Language of the land', or 'Angalish' reconstructed ancient words and tried to renew their day-to-day use*, while being written in the Modern Runic Alphabet.
The Irish came close to outnumbering the Dwicadians in East Dwicadia, and more resistant to the idea of a national language, or Royeauish. In order to maintain authority, the government in Christplace held sham elections and began quietly implementing a reign of terror on the Irish countryside. As the Irish independence movement broke out, the Dwicadian government responded in full force and brought genocide, ultimately needing to be put down by the Republic of Britain.
The Republic of Britain today stands as one of the wealthiest and most densely populated countries in Europe. Despite having held no colonial empire, is weight is felt around the world. Though a bit corrupt and prone to communal tension, it is democratic and its (still fairly divided) communities live in peace together. It has pursued a path of non-alignment with other states, but is gradually opening up, both to a continent that has been somewhat hostile, and to a wider world.
*but with a modern pronunciation. Proto-Germanic may have pronounced 'frijaz' with a glide in the middle, but the modern reintroduced word is pronounced like 'fridge'-az.
In this universe, the first Anglo-Saxon King to convert to Christianity (Ethelbert of Kent) is killed soon after by a rival brother who in OTL died in infancy. With him, the Archbishopric at Canterbury and most Christian-converts are killed, as well as the King's wife- a member of the Frankish Royalty. Subsequent Frankish attempts to conquer England (pulled over four centuries ahead of OTL's schedule) lack William the Conquerer's combination of Nordic and Roman fighting styles, and end mostly in defeat (though by the end of the 8th century Cornwall is a Frankish vassal, owing to support from Irish allies on the other side of England). For the duration of the 7th and 8th centuries, England unites roughly as it does in our world as a non-Christian monarchy. Though there are many attempts to bring the monarchy to Christianity, the Pagan elite slowly solidify their opposition and organization.
From this time, the elites of England (and also Scotland) actively reject the Christian world- organizing a developing their own traditions (for instance, decreeing the use of an alphabet intended to look like Runes rather than the Roman script). Jews and Gnostic Christians are given refuge on the island, and in the following centuries an influx of Pagans from Scandinavia, Lithuania, and even Russia gives the island a bit of a multi-cultural flair, developing it quicker that OTL.
Though William has been butterflied, in 1187 amidst the Crusades a Norman King receives the Pope's blessing in conquering Britain, and does so successfully. Right from the start, the Norman King's must balance their desire to please the Pope with converts and their desire to maintain order over a now more staunchly non-Christian population. By 1400, an informal constitution allowing the local 'Ossians' rights to their customs is in place, and Scotland (an Ossian majority place) is an independent ally. The Irish hate England far worse than in OTL, and Norman King's efforts to take care of revolting Irish and revolting Ossians ends up in the resettlement of quite a lot of Ossians. By the 1400s, enough Ossians have risen through the (somewhat meritocratic) ranks of the aristocracy to make the Pope unhappy.
In 1789, Fresh off the conquest of the new world, the triple monarchy of Francia-Beligica-Germania (Belgica being the Low countries), uses its wealth to have a much bloodier conquest and holy war towards conquering Britain. Most of the existing Christian populations side with the Ossian majority (even uniting under an Ossian leader who acts on the King's behalf), but with enough cash the continental forces are successful (Iria, or Ireland, is quite happy to be freed).
As the triple Empire breaks up at the dawn of the 20th century, various plans are put forward for Britain's future. Though long campaigning for local-rule together with their Ossian counterparts, the Christian minorities eventually buy into politicians calling for an independent Christian homeland on the isles. Dumnonia, Wales, Isle (of Wight), Cornwall, Atrebatia, and Durotricia were eventually chosen to be, along with Iria, part of a Christian homeland. Dwicadia, as it came to be called, separated from the rest of the new Republic of Britain.
Following this event, there was a painful period of rioting, homegrown death squads, and reignited religious division on both sides, resulting in significant population transfers. Dwicadia suspended its own constitution for the first thirty years of rule, and since then has remained a quasi-junta state with a state religion. Though far more linguistically diverse than OTL, the entirety of the British Isles came under one official language (based off of the London dialect), though don't tell anyone that. Despite being the same in spoken and vernacular forms, both sides changed their language tremendously. The 'Royal Language of the Christian Court', or Royeauish embraced Latin and French and was written in the Latin Alphabet, while the 'Language of the land', or 'Angalish' reconstructed ancient words and tried to renew their day-to-day use*, while being written in the Modern Runic Alphabet.
The Irish came close to outnumbering the Dwicadians in East Dwicadia, and more resistant to the idea of a national language, or Royeauish. In order to maintain authority, the government in Christplace held sham elections and began quietly implementing a reign of terror on the Irish countryside. As the Irish independence movement broke out, the Dwicadian government responded in full force and brought genocide, ultimately needing to be put down by the Republic of Britain.
The Republic of Britain today stands as one of the wealthiest and most densely populated countries in Europe. Despite having held no colonial empire, is weight is felt around the world. Though a bit corrupt and prone to communal tension, it is democratic and its (still fairly divided) communities live in peace together. It has pursued a path of non-alignment with other states, but is gradually opening up, both to a continent that has been somewhat hostile, and to a wider world.
*but with a modern pronunciation. Proto-Germanic may have pronounced 'frijaz' with a glide in the middle, but the modern reintroduced word is pronounced like 'fridge'-az.
I meant as in having states from a communist USA, a fascist USA, a liberal USA, etc. ISOTed onto the same world. Hilarity ensues...
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