Gapminder World is a mapping / graphing tool that uses Flash to plot various development factors. The map is a world map with proportional circles representing countries’ populations. A dropdown box allows the user to specify what the colours sohuld indicate (indebetedness, geographic region or income group). A timeline at the bottom of the map can be played or paused at 5 year increments between 1960 and 2004.

The graph is probably the more useful feature of the tool and plots the same proportional circles used in the map. Both x and y axis of the graph can be changed, allowing the user to compare different variables such as Internet users, life expectancy and contraceptive use. The timeline is also available for this graph.

The tool uses World Development Indicators from the World Bank.

By way of La Cartoteca.