United States of America

New Year's Eve:  It's time to take stock of progress in documenting how places across the United States say Welcome.  Over the past two years, since January 30, 2012, 310 pictures of welcome signs have been posted from localities in 48 of the 50 states, plus one from the District of Columbia and one from the UK.  The map above catalogs the number of times each state has been represented in "Geographically Yours Welcome."

Welcome signs are one way places combat "placelessness."  Not only do they give our towns and cities a chance to introduce themselves with a name, they also offer opportunities to include other distinguishing information, including how old they are.  Unlike the bipeds who place the placards. localities love to let us know when they were founded or incorporated.