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Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by 082349872349872 on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @04:40AM (#34159229)
Yet somehow, despite the general tendency to squareness in political boundaries, electoral boundaries wind up with bizarre shapes...
Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by paraselene_ on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @05:56AM (#34159688)
On that note, what's the squarest country in the world?
Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by elihu on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @06:24AM (#34159910)
I think Sudan, Egypt, and Libya would be contenders. I suppose there's probably a general principle at work that if your country's borders were decided not by geographical or cultural boundaries but rather by an occupying bureaucracy, then there's a high probability of squareness.

Or if your territory is made up partially of land the ownership of which isn't a pressing concern for anyone because it doesn't support a population and has few resources.

The western part of the boundary between U.S. and Canada is unusually straight, but I suppose that was an expedient agreement at a time when neither side wanted to go to war over it. Not that relations were totally peaceful or friendly.

Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by Fissionary on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @06:13AM (#34159823)
Egypt probably looks the closest to one.

Switzerland gets a honorary mention - the country might not be, but the people are total squares.

Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by another2another on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @08:38AM (#34160818)
Thats' a bit unfair.

And back on topic, Switzerland's Wanderweg paths are numerous, very well signposted with bright yellow signs, and excellently maintained as well as clearly described in numerous guidebooks. Walking the countryside in Switzerland is a joy.

Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by 082349872349872 on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @08:47AM (#34160881)
Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by jmkb on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @09:10AM (#34161102)
And Switzerland features the most drop-dead-gorgeous hiking maps of any land I've visited. It feels like each mountain was hand-drawn and shaded by someone who knows and loves it, and you can often ID them from the ground based on the pictures. But the artistic details are still subtle enough not to interfere with the roads, trails, POIs, and text.
Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by georgeoliver on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @09:58PM (#34168937)
> It feels like each mountain was hand-drawn

They might be! https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/arts/alps-map-glacier-roc...

Re:Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know by FranchuFranchu on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @07:14AM (#34160245)
The mystery of the squarest country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrNEVUuZdk