The World in Maps

Yesterday at 5:34 AM · 

A world map of dominant Christian branches reveals how theology, empire, and history shaped global belief systems. Roman Catholicism dominates much of Latin America, Southern Europe, and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, reflecting Iberian, French, and Italian c0lonial legacies as well as missionary networks centered on Rome. Eastern Orthodoxy forms a broad arc across Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and parts of the Caucasus and Middle East, rooted in the legacy of Byzantium and Slavic conversion.

Protestant traditions prevail in Northern Europe, North America, Oceania, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa, shaped by the Reformation, British expansion, and later evangelical movements. In some countries -such as Ethiopia, Armenia, and Eritrea- ancient Oriental Orthodox churches dominate, preserving distinct Christian traditions that predate both Catholic–Orthodox and Protestant divisions. Elsewhere, Christianity exists as a minority but still shows clear denominational dominance, often tied to colonial administration or modern missionary activity. Mapping dominant Christian branches highlights how religion remains deeply geographical, revealing historical power structures, cultural continuity, and the lasting imprint of empires long gone.

Fun facts:

Brazil is the largest Catholic country in the world by population.

The Philippines is Asia’s largest Christian-majority country.

Categories: Articole de interes general