1) Very interesting maps in this link especially how several empires conquered the world.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/13/40-more-maps-that-explain-the-world/
2) Visualising climate change
3) Some funny maps here: Walmart growth time-lapse, Spread of the last name Smith, Invasion of cows, lightning strikes, craigslist missed connections