An interactive visualisation of key players & notable relationships in the Middle East created by David McCandless & Univers Lab. Part of the Knowledge is Beautiful project. Powered by our dataviz software VizSweet.

» Explore the visualisation
» See the data: bit.ly/KIB_MiddleEast

about this image

This is an interactive remake of a prototype image from my first book, Information is Beautiful (2009). And part of a series of graphics exploring different facets of Islam.

This kind of visualisation is called a “forced network” where the entities are bound in a mesh of connections. Seemed like an appropriate form, given the density and complexity of the Middle East situation. It’s also meant as a kind of visual joke. The complexity is nearly off-the-scale, displaying how such an intricate, matted fabric defies simple solutions.

Understandably, this is an ongoing, evolving diagram which we hope to add to. So, as ever, we welcome your ideas & corrections & clarifications.

Knowledge is Beautiful, my new book of 196 data-visualisations, out this autumn.

I made a quiz which determines which character you'd be on Game of Thrones.

This tale isn't about an actual gaming encounter but rather about me trying to explain D&D to a someone who hadn't ever heard of it.

While working on a group project I was wearing a t-shirt with the D&D logo on it.  One of the girls in our group asked me, "What's D&D?"

"Dungeons & Dragons?…