Fig. 2.

Comparison between residual log language area (controlling for all other variables in Table 2) (black) and absolute latitude (white) for (A) levels of political complexity and (B) different subsistence strategies. More politically complex societies have larger language areas and are also found at higher latitudes. Subsistence strategy does not show a consistent relationship between language area and absolute latitude. HG, hunter–gatherer; F, fishing; P, pastoralism; EAg, extensive agriculture; IAg, intensive agriculture.