The boot-shaped state isn’t shaped like that anymore. So, we revised its iconic outline to reflect the truth about a sin…

Source: medium.com

Maps shape how we think about places.  In mapping, we can reveal or conceal important pieces of information but sometimes the phenomena don’t fit the easy binaries.  In most places there is land, a coastline and then water (simple enough), but Louisiana’s coastline is much more complicated with large regions being more of a coastal zone than a neat line.  That accounts for some of the inaccuracies mapping Louisiana, but some lies are so convenient, that many people want the fiction to continue.  It is comforting to think about places as permanent, and admitting that it isn’t is acknowledging that there might be a problem.  As stated in this article, “the boot is at best an inaccurate approximation of Louisiana’s true shape and, at worst, an irresponsible lie.”  To explore the issue yourself, this gorgeous interactive map pulls together some high quality source materials on a wide range of issues to look at this environmental issues of this region in a holistic manner.

Tags: mapping, coastal, environment, erosion, landscape., physical, fluvial.