Is anybody suggesting this should be used for assessing population density? You seem to be attacking a straw man. The accompanying text states: > The map ten

Is anybody suggesting this should be used for assessing population density? You seem to be attacking a straw man. The accompanying text states: > The map tends to highlight two types of areas: places where human habitation is physically restrictive or impossible, and places where human habitation is prohibited by social or legal convention. And the creator states his purpose (emphasis mine): > Ultimately, I made this map to show a different side of the United States. Human geographers spend so much time thinking about where people are. I thought I might bring some new insight by showing where they are not, adding contrast and context to the typical displays of the country’s population geography. I for one found it very interesting to see the vast expanses of the U.S. that record no permanent residences. Of particular interest to me is the administrative effort that must go into maintaining almost five million census blocks that have no citizens to report!