Submarine cable map rendered onto a globe (globe.gl)

Article summary

A submarine cable map has been rendered onto a globe, showcasing the network of underwater cables that connect the world. The visualization highlights the concentration of cables in certain regions and the lack thereof in others. The cable map is available on GitHub and allows for exploration of the global network. The discussion around the map reveals interesting patterns and exceptions in the distribution of submarine cables.

Main themes

• submarine cable networks
• global connectivity
• geographical patterns
• historical context
• technological development
• regional disparities

What commenters say

• The visualization would be improved by showing a cable's landing points and capacity.
• The distribution of submarine cables is influenced by geographical and historical factors, such as the ease of laying cables along coastlines.
• Some regions, like Africa, have a relatively low number of submarine cables compared to their population and geographic size.
• The lack of submarine cables to Antarctica is due to the difficulty of terminating cables on the ice shelf and the limited number of people on the continent.
• Satellite links are currently used to provide internet connectivity to Antarctica.
• The construction of submarine cables is often driven by economic and practical considerations, such as the cost and feasibility of laying cables in certain regions.
• The visualization of submarine cables as a network of nodes and edges can provide a unique perspective on global connectivity.
• The development of submarine cables has been shaped by a combination of technological, historical, and geopolitical factors.