The arteries of the world: Fascinating new map shows EVERY river basin on the globe with a different colour and width depending on water depth (7 Pics)

A fascinating new colour map of the world's river systems has revealed the flowing arteries of the planet as never seen before.

The guide, created by analyst Robert Szucs, shows every river basin on the globe with a different colour and width depending on water depth

The design has been several months in the making, with the 31-year-old saying he was desperate 'to do justice' to a subject he loves.

Mr Szucs has produced several national maps but has now completed his first world design (pictured). Every river basin is represented by a different colour, which is contrasted with a dark, black background

This map shows the United States of America and reveals the flow of rivers across the country. Mr Szucs collects his data with painstaking patience, assembling information from a variety of government and non-government agencies. He has created a system whereby the thicker lines represent higher stream orders, meaning the tributaries will be much smaller than the main river itself

United Kingdom

The Hungarian native has no previous artistic background but says he was inspired by the 'boring nature' of textbooks. The images have proved so successful that Robert is earning a steady income from them, although he still finds it odd when people refer to him as 'an artist'

Africa

In each map every river basin is given a different colour and width depending on water depth. And then thicker lines represent higher stream orders - such as in this image of the United Kingdom. It's a long process but Mr Szucs is adamant it's worth it

Mr Szucs, a geographic information system (GIS) analyst by trade, has spent most of his working life studying the geography of different countries.

In recent years however he has experimented at turning geographical maps into beautiful pieces of art.

He has produced several national maps but has now completed his first world design.

The result is a striking image which shows the veins of the world in stunning and eye-catching detail.

Every river basin is represented by a different colour, which is contrasted with a dark, black background.

Mr Szucs collects his data with painstaking patience, assembling information from a variety of government and non-government agencies.

The Hungarian native has no previous artistic background but says he was inspired by the 'boring nature' of textbooks.

He has created a system whereby the thicker lines represent higher stream orders. It's a long process but Robert is adamant it's worth it.

Mr Szucs, who lives in Birmingham, said: 'I am inspired by a determination to do justice to the beauty of rivers.

'Most river maps you see, especially in textbooks, are rather dull, so if there are any textbook publishers out there they can feel free to reach out.

'Assembling the data is a slow and painful process and as a perfectionist, I'm never 100 per cent happy. However, I am really pleased with this one.'

Rivers in Europe are shown in this remarkable map including the Ebro in Spain (bottom left in dark blue) and the Seine in France (in light blue). Mr Szucs has made a number of specific maps to areas of the world

Mr Szucs comes from a science background, having completed an MSc in Geography, and now finds it strange to hear people refer to him as an artist. His work (including this map of Europe) can be bought online and printed on to a number of surfaces including canvas, paper, metal, wood and glass

The world map can be bought online with prices starting at just £7.90 for a downloadable HD image.

The picture can then be printed on to a number of surfaces including canvas, paper, metal, wood and glass.

Buyers receive a digital, ultra-high resolution image and are then free to do as they wish with it.

The images have proved so successful that Robert is earning a steady income from them, although he still finds it odd when people refer to him as 'an artist'.

Mr Szucs said: 'The response has been completely positive and unexpectedly huge. It's rare that a hobby project does so well but I'm now trying to make a living out of this, so I'm more than thankful.

'I came from a scientific background, having an MSc in Geography so people calling me an artist now is still quite strange even now.'