That is a map created by
TeleGraphy showing the 278 in-service and 21 planned undersea cables in the world that connect the internet, "incorporating elements of medieval and renaissance cartography." Ninety-nine percent of international data is
transmitted through these submarine cables.
The map also tells you the "latency"—how fast information transmits—from the United States, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong to several other countries, "presented in milliseconds of round trip delay." It also shows "lit capacity," how much traffic a system can send, for "the trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, US-Latin America, and Europe-Asia via Egypt routes."
And it shows dangers to cables:
The map is adorned with images of common causes of cable faults, including fishing vessels, anchors, and trenches on the ocean floor, as well as cable maintenance vessels responsible for repairs. In homage to vintage maps, it also includes ornate illustrations of mythical sea monsters.
Vox has a
fun, interactive version of the map that lets you directly compare this cable map to a 1912 map of trade routes, which is remarkably similar. The technology of economic engagement may be different, but the routes through which the world is connected haven't changed all that much.