What's the easiest way of generating a map similar to this? I have several state-level data series I want to display on maps of India. [more inside]
posted by matthewr on Mar 23, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm looking for a tool (preferably free) that will provide population data for the area within a defined radius of a point on a map. [more inside]
posted by brain_drain on May 21, 2007 - 11 answers

Life span, longevity and history... (MI)

I had an argument the other day with my friend concerning longevity and life span through history. He claims that people of history would have been lucky to live to be old and that most people died in their 30's or 40's. He added that people were practically married at 15, had kids and worked hard and died young.

I disagreed with him. Practically all historical figures seem to have lived into old age and the stories I have read and heard from historical accounts makes it seem as though there were plenty of old people around. It's not like old men and women are a modern thing.

My thinking is that the numbers that are often cited, 35 year life expectency for example, are only so low because of the high frequency of infant death. Who's right? Can you please use links to back up your arguments? [more inside]
posted by crazy finger on Aug 23, 2004 - 38 answers

Can anyone recommend a good book on US demographics? Ideally, I'd like an overview of major demographic trends, with engaging vignettes demonstrating the impact on individual communities etc etc. I'm especially interested in the geography / demographics intersection - how is the population distribution changing? Who's going where?
posted by lbergstr on Aug 15, 2004 - 9 answers