Cartography

A map of Europe made of scrapwood

by Frans Blok · Published 9. April 2019 · Updated 12. June 2023

Well in time for the European elections, it’s finished: the map of Europe in digital scrap wood. The third in a series; previously I made a scrap wood map of the Netherlands and the world.

The digital scrapwood map of Europe, made of 54 different pieces of virtually recycled wood — The scrapwood map of Europe

54 countries

Making this map was a bit more difficult than the previous two. Instead of 12 provinces or seven continents, we are dealing with 54 different countries big and small here. And for each of them I have searched for a separate piece of wood. Virtual wood, by the way, let there be no misunderstanding about it.

Detail of the scrapwood map of Europa featuring various countries in Central Europe — Central Europe in scrapwood

Geopolitics

When making a map of Europe, one immediately has to deal with geopolitical issues. For example: what do we do with Crimea? I decided to follow the international community in not recognizing the Russian annexation of the peninsula.

The scrapwood map of Europe as decoration on a wall in a modern room over a wooden desk — The scrapwood map on the wall

Brexit

From the other side of the Northsea I received a request for a version with the United Kingdom made of charred wood. But as an Anglophile as well as a European, I sincerely hope that the Brexit debate will not get out of hand in such a dramatic way.

Detail of the scrapwood map of Europa featuring the British Isles — The British Isles in scrapwood

And speaking of the UK: I have made England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland of different pieces of wood. They all have their own football team; that seems like a good criterion.