The European Spatial Planning Observation Network engages in “applied research and studies on territorial development and spatial planning (as) seen from a European perspective in support of policy development.” Which means that, in an attempt to provide the European Union and its members states with the information they need to make the proper policy decisions, EPSON produces a number of statistical sets and maps. Most of the maps it produces focuses on Europe, naturally, but there are a few that take a broader, international perspective.

A couple of reports in pdf format provide a number of interesting maps. Diversity in European Territory (November 2004; pdf; 9.16 MB) provides maps on the growth of gdp in Europe, changes in population, and flooding potential, all broekn out at a subnational level for EU member states. A more recent report, Mapping Regional Competitiveness and Cohesion (March, 2006; pdf; 12.35 MB) includes maps on population growth, competitiveness and human well-being. In both reports, a page long description of accompanies each map. For those who need more detail, descriptions and maps, there is the hefty 228 page report from the first EPSON Scientific Conference (pdf; 40.99 MB) that includes many more maps.

By way of Connotea