The Map With Only 38 States - Note for a discussion, "E Pluribus Unum? What Keeps the United States United."

Rob Lammle, mentalfloss.com

In 1973, California State University geography professor George Etzel Pearcy suggested that the U.S. redraw its antiquated state boundaries and narrow the overall number of states to 38.

Pearcy's proposed state lines were drawn in less-populated areas, isolating large cities and reducing their number within each state. He argued that if there were fewer cities vying for a state's tax dollars, more money would be available for projects that would benefit all citizens. 

Here's how certain cities would fall under Pearcy's plan (see larger):

The Afternoon Map is a semi-regular feature in which we post maps and infographics. In the afternoon. Semi-regularly. We first covered today's map way back in 2008.