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Key Features
Key distinguishing features of countries like road lines, signs, and rubbish bins.
Introduction
Vegetation
Vegetation is a term used to refer to a group of plant species
Traffic Lights
Traffic lights are used at intersections to divert traffic
Bollards
Bollards are a short post used to stop traffic from entering an area.
Utility Poles
Utility poles also known as power poles and telecomunication poles are used to support overhead powerlines
Chevrons
A chevron is used to indicate a turn or sharp corner. They are usually a 'V' shape.
Russia
RU Intersections
Near intersections in Russia you will commonly see a very large number of bollards.
RU Bollards
Russia has three main types of bollards, one has a black top section and a red vertical reflector below and a German style bollard.
RU Pedestrian Crossing
Russian pedestrian crossings contain alternating white and yellow stripes. This is also common in Kazakhstan.
RU Vegetation
The most common vegetation that is easily identified in Russia is Russian fireweed
RU language
The Russian language uses the Cyrillic script, and contains the special letters Ы, Э, Ё and Ъ.
Ё is also used in Mongolian and Ъ is used in Bulgarian. You may rarely come across Russian in Ukraine, northern Hokkaido (Japan), and eastern Estonia.
RU Architecture
This style of richly decorated window frames is commonly found on traditional Russian homes, especially on log cabins. They are often painted blue.
United Kingdom
UK Gates
Rural metal gates with square corners are very common in the UK. This is mainly useful to distinguish it from Ireland, where similar gates typically have rounded corners.
UK bollards
The most common bollard in the UK looks like this. It has a rounded shape, with a red reflector on the front and a white one on the back. The base and top are black, with a white stripe in the middle.
UK Utility Poles
The UK uses wooden poles. Pole steps bolted on the side of the pole are very common. These pole steps are shaped like a series of thin horizontal metal rods.
UK Architecture
Red brick buildings are common in many parts of the UK. Red brick architecture is also common in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, as well as parts of northern France.
UK Countries
These are the flags of the countries in the United Kingdom.
Australia
AU Utility Poles
Poles in Western Australia often have green painted bases, and sometimes a white sticker or a red and white band attached.
AU Utility Poles
These rusty metal poles, containing several holes, are unique to the Northern Territory. These poles can also sometimes be found in some areas of northern WA.
AU Utility Poles
The iconic Stobie pole, made of steel and concrete, is specific to South Australia. A few thousand of these poles can be found in other states, mainly Tasmania.
AU Utility Poles
These black markings are specific to electricity poles in Queensland. They are often accompanied by diagonal numbers.
AU Utility Poles
Circular blue stickers can be found on Queensland poles. You may occasionally see the same type of sticker in a different colour, or with the colour almost completely faded. Blue stickers can also be found on French poles.
AU Utility Poles
Melbourne poles commonly feature these white, rectangular stickers, with a smaller blue square inside it.
AU Utility Poles
Olive-green possum guards are only found on electricity poles in Tasmania. Possum guards are found all over Australia. The colour is what distinguishes them.
AU Signs
Within Australia, a speed limit of 130 km/h can only be found in the Northern Territory.
AU Bollards
This black and yellow bollard is exclusive to Queensland.
AU Bus Stops
Each state has a unique bus stop design. These are quite common in urban areas.
AU License Plates
Different states use different licence plate designs
AU Signs
These signs and more can be found in Australia.
AU Vegetation
Sugarcane plantations are very common in Northern Queensland, due to its tropical climate.
United States of America
US Maps
Maximum speed limits vary by state and territory. The maximum speed limits shown here will generally be seen on interstate highways.
US Signs
Yellow or red bands can commonly be seen around signposts in Texas. Similar reflectors can sometimes be seen in other states, such as Hawaii.
US Signs
The US uses the phrase ‘Speed Limit’ on their speed signs.
The numbers on American speed signs are usually lower because they use miles not kilometers.
US Architecture
Stilt houses can sometimes be seen on the coast. These are especially common toward the south, and on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
US Maps
This is a forest density map of the United States. Eastern and Northern regions of the country typically have much denser tree cover than central and Southwestern regions.
US Maps
Shown here is a topographic map of the US. The most significant elevation is in the west here you will find large mountain ranges, but also more flat, high plateaus. Elevation in the east is generally much lower. The most significant amount of elevation is found in the Appalachians.
US Signs
Road signs in the US tend to use more words compared to their Canadian counterparts. A good example are railway crossing signs, which feature the literal words ‘railroad crossing’ on them. In Canada, these signs are typically blank.
Japan
JP Language
On the left hand side, you can find the pronunciation and meaning of eight of the most commonly featured kanji in town and city names. Learning to recognise these can make finding cities considerably easier. On the right you see the shape and pronunciation of the cardinal directions and the shape of some kanji commonly found at the end of place names. If you see the kanji for prefecture or city, chances are you will be able to find it fairly quickly. Wards are typically findable granted you know the city, while towns are often fairly difficult to locate.
JP Map
Japan consists of three main terms used to identify land, groupings and borders Islands, Regions and Prefectures.
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Islands: The four main islands that make up the country of Japan. From the top they are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu.
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Regions: Some islands are further broken down into groupings of prefectures.
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Prefectures: These form the currently 47 different subdivisions within the country.
Many of these names are used in this guide, on maps, and when referring to areas of Japan. Therefore, it is recommended to learn and become comfortable with each category, and the titles within.
JP Poles
The pole reflector pads vary by region in Japan.
JP Road
You can narrow down the prefecture you are in based on the style of road diamond.
JP Road
This infrastructural arrow informs drivers of where the shoulder line is when under snow, and is located almost exclusively in Hokkaido.
JP Bollards
This flat, white bollard, found on the island of Kyushu and in Yamaguchi Prefecture, will have a series of separated orange reflectors on one side, and the same white on the opposite.
JP Guardrails
You can find these chevron like stickers, or more rarely orange ones, on guardrails in Hokkaido.
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On the end or side of a guardrail.
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Stuck to metal posts between wire fences, which are often found in Hokkaido.
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On railings, which are often found on bridges, underneath the inside of the railing.
JP Traffic Lights
Vertical traffic lights can be found in Hokkaido, and along the northwestern coast. The usual horizontal traffic lights can be found everywhere else.
JP Architecture
The further you are north, roofs generally transition from tiled to flat in order to compensate for heavy snowfall. Northern houses often have ladders attached to the side, giving roof access.
JP Vegetation
Rice is mainly produced north of Tokyo. During growth, it resembles straws of grass. And when ready for harvest, brown husks are visible. They are also commonly planted in beds of water. The regions of Chubu (21%), Kanto (15%), Tohoku (27%), and Hokkaido (7%) make up the majority of production.
JP Road
Tokyo City features a nice manhole design, with a 5 petal flower and many small circles on the outside.
JP Map
Japan is mostly mountains with a few exceptions The Kanto and Nobi plains.
JP Architecture
Japanese architecture has many distinct and expressive styles, with many unique buildings. These can range from traditional country houses, regional designs, modern large cities, coastal reinforced buildings, and anything in between.
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