Figure 1.32: Skin color map for indigenous people as predicted from multiple environmental factors. Skin plays a twin role with respect to the sun: protection from excessive UV radiation and absorption of enough sunlight to trigger the production of vitamin D.
[UNEP/GRID-Arendal at http://www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/skin-colour-map-indigenous-people_8b88, Emmanuelle Bournay, cartographer. Data source consulted: G. Chaplin, “Geographic Distribution of Environmental Factors Influencing Human Skin Coloration,” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 125, 292–302, 2004; map updated in 2007]