​Ahead of a year of mega-elections in Romania, as well as in many other countries, the Atlas of Leaders looks at who the current heads of state are from around the world.

Since we live in a time when a perceived lack of political leadership is fertile ground for populist and radical movements around the world, an inventory of all presidents can be a useful exercise in identifying certain patterns.

Representation of heads of state, rather than heads of government, provides a relevant perspective, since in most countries heads of state are elected by direct popular vote. In most cases, this is a different process than the appointment of heads of government, and it gives a sense of what options citizens have. In other words, who do people elect to directly represent them in the highest office in the state, and what elements of a candidate’s profile resonate with voters?

The interactive map created by Panorama.ro takes users on a journey around the world, viewing the resumes of those who lead it.