Many Eyes users have made maps of statistics ranging from beer consumption to teen births to the regional slang for those odd little bugs that curl into balls. But until now, users have been limited to maps of U.S. states and world countries.

Today we’re launching a revised set of maps. Using data provided by ESRI, Many Eyes now has state and province data for 14 countries, as well as a more detailed world map.

The maps also feature new ways to explore data. In addition to using color, you can set the map to show data values as overlaid circles or “bubbles”. The bubble view has the advantage that it gives each region equal attention, regardless of land area. You can also compare different columns of a data set directly, either with two side-by-side maps or through “small multiple” maps, showing every column of data at once in a grid of thumbnails.

It is also possible to show categorical data on the maps–such as the map showing the Brazilian regions below.

Finally, you’ll notice that regions are now labeled within maps. Some of you had asked for this feature and we agree that it’s long due.

So give the new maps a spin! We’ll be working on more country maps in the next few weeks. As always, we’re interested in your comments and feedback–and maybe even we’ll get to see a map of what those little curly bugs are called in Brazil.