Convening the best aspects of photo and video into one pith and movement-filled entity, the GIF is the Internet’s wunderkind. While arguments have arisen about its pronunciation, everyone can agree that they do a fine job of entertaining and informing an audience whose mobile lifestyles demand that content be quick, to the point and easy to absorb. Enjoy these thirty fantastic GIFs that explain the world around us:
How The Human Face Forms In The Womb
Formed both by intramembranous and endochondral ossification, it’s in a woman’s first trimester that the fetus’ skull is most susceptible to developing skull deformities.
The History Of US States And Territories In Maps
An elementary school student’s dream come true: all of the information on the competing interests within the United States–minus the stuffy history books.
How The Easter Island Moai Statues Might Have Been Transported
The Polynesian statues have boggled minds for centuries–both in terms of size and the technical prowess of those responsible for moving them. One possible explanation for how they may have been transported may be seen above.
How Macaroni Is Made
How Keys Work
The History Of Religious Conquests
Here, the history of the world’s predominant religions present themselves in their most engaging form yet.
How Bullets Work
Often composed of lead or iron, it’s the amount of a bullet’s kinetic energy that greatly determines how bad the damage will be. In other words, the larger and heavier the bullet, the greater damage the shooter will reap on the target.
The New York Times’ Coverage Of The 1996 Election
While Bob Dole saw his presidential ambitions die that night in November 1996, the New York Times made sure that regardless of the election’s outcome, its readers would be able to “win”.
The Evolution Of The British Empire
At its height in 1922, the British Empire controlled nearly a quarter of the world’s land and boasted nearly one fifth of the world’s population (458 million people) under its control.
How China’s Borders Evolved
Bordering 14 sovereign states, China ties with Russia in terms of international borders. It takes home the prize for longest land border in the world: China’s stands at an imposing 13,743 miles.
The Evolution Of European Countries
Thanks to this GIF, the Old Continent has never seemed so lively.
The Origins And Evolution Of The English Alphabet
Convening the Anglo-Saxon futhorc runic alphabet with Latin script, the English alphabet has evolved along with war, conquests and political deceits.
The Future Size Of Earth
Have a glimpse into the future without a Delorean in this amazing GIF series.
The Growth Of Las Vegas
Sin City’s origins aren’t found in the profit-seeking pinstriped suits of gambling executives. Rather, the city got its name–and start–from Mexican scouts who discovered the area’s meadows (vegas) in the early 19th century.
GIFs That Explain The World: The Expansion Of Walmart
Today, four members of the Walton family (the progenitor of the retail chain) own a combined $150 billion which makes them the richest family in the country. Check out its less than grandiose origins above.
The Evolution Of The Holy Roman Empire
Unholy wars, matrimony and scheming contributed to the rise–and fall–of the Holy Roman Empire.
Internet Use Based On Time Of Day
Even as the world becomes increasingly diverse, we might all find solidarity in our frequent daytime Internet usage.
The United States’ Largest Cities By Decade
Curious about the story of the now-defunct Northern Liberties township? Read more about it here.
The Legalization Of Marijuana In The United States
Though marijuana is now legally available for commercial purchase in Colorado and Washington, it’s taken decades of struggle for marijuana use to be considered “in the green” in the eyes of government figures.
Popular Female Names In The United States
Popular Male Names In The United States
Tracking Obesity Rates In The United States
In 1962, the US obesity rate hovered at around 13%. Today, nearly a third of the American population is obese (more than 35 pounds overweight), costing the country around $117 billion per year in obesity-related expenditures.
The Growth Of London
While the Romans gave the foggy metropolis its name in Londinium, today the city is home to an astonishing 8.3 million people, which is about the same as Austria’s total population.
The Rise And Fall Of The Ottoman Empire
One of the world’s most important empires for over six centuries, it took a world war for the Ottoman Empire to dissolve. In its heyday, it controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, the Caucasus, North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
The Shrinking Of The Aral Sea
Due to former Soviet irrigation projects, the Aral Sea–what used to be one of the world’s largest lakes–has been effectively hollowed out.
=GIFs That Explain The World: Earth’s True Size
Poland’s Territorial Changes From 1635 To 2009
Several centuries after being established as a kingdom, over six million Polish people would be slaughtered in World War II and many more would suffer under strict Communist rule.
Territorial Claims Of North America
The Changing Unemployment Rates In The United States
Beginning with the financial meltdown in the mid 2000s, virtually no state has been spared from rising unemployment rates.
The Changing Distribution Of The United States Population
Manifest destiny has never appeared more engaging.
And if you enjoyed these GIFs that explain our world, be sure to see our posts on maps that make sense of the world and our collection of interesting facts.
