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Map of world religions,
sects, syncretisms, and faiths
by James Mayfield (Chairman, European Heritage Library)
 Print
this Article About
the Author Bibliography/Sources
Below is an exclusive detailed
map the EHL has published charting the major dispersal of
dominant religions in the world. Religion, cultural myths,
beliefs, and traditions are arguably the most important features
in world cultures, and greatly contributed to the cultural
and social evolution of European societies. A world exclusive,
the map even discerns between the different types of state
Islam and Buddhism; read the legend by the regions for information.
If you have any questions, feel free to notify us. You can
view a close-up map of Europe here.
Mapping Information &
Extra Notes:
African Christianity and
Islam are referred to as "mixed," as very few in
Sub-Saharan Africa would be universally acknowledged as Christians
and Muslims due to their abstract blending of formal religions
and native customs. Though Australia and the Netherlands consists
of a number of religions, and both were historically defined
by Protestant doctrine, Catholicism is typically held as the
primary church in the nation in terms of population statistics.
Though the United States
is typically defined as "Protestant" by majority,
the dominant single church is Catholic by far, thus America
is a Catholic nation in terms of religious mapping. China
practices an amalgam of Confucianism (not technically a religion),
Taoism, and Buddhism, but the state religion has historically
followed the way of the Tao. Governments denouncing religion
or avoiding religion (like the United States, North Korea,
etc.) are not noted; instead, this map shows the religious
identities and heritage of the societies and ethnicities of
the world themselves. Finally, Greenland is mapped as a Lutheran
state even though the Inuit peoples are animist, because the
island is ruled by the Kingdom of Denmark, a Lutheran state.
All colours shown refer only to the state or dominant religions.
Significant or historically important populations, like the
Sikhs, are mapped, whereas small religious communities or
classifications that are more a cultural aspect than a religion
(like Cuban Santeria) are not.
Click the below map
for the full-size version! Click on the map to zoom.
If an error has been made,
please notify the EHL Staff.
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ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
James Mayfield is a historian
and the Chairman of the European Heritage Library. I have
a Cum Laude BA in History with a Minor in Germanic Studies
(language and history), am presently working for my Masters
in History, and plan to immediately progress to my PhD Doctorate.
I have a special academic interest in Europe's diverse ethnic
identities, languages, and cultures, and the political struggles
of native European and immigrant minority identities. See
my staff entry for more information.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES
USED:
The image used as the basis
for the maps is widely redistributed and is not protected.
The map was designed entirely by me.
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