Economic map down

Slate created an interactive map this month that chronicles America's increasing job losses from Jan. 2007 to March 2009.
The map is strewn with markers, detailing down to state counties the jobs gained or lost in the current month. The map's animation ticks through its timeline, showing changes in employment down to individual counties by changes in map markers' color and scale.
The project, which is based on local area unemployment statistics from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, takes a large body of data and gives it life. It also provides insight into different regional economic trends over the past three years.
Business journalism projects like this that simultaneously provide a macro and micro perspective on national issues are becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. Multimedia pieces like this interactive map are key in journalism stepping up to help people navigate this complex financial environment.
View the project here.