There are many geo-information systems around the world; these are usually highly detailed and limited to present data generated by a specific organization. The Flows visual language is designed to quickly trace any publicly available map in a standardized style, to enable to easily compare maps made by different organizations to each other.
Flows Maps are different from the well-known GIS maps because Flows Maps are not about detailed data, but about providing system insight. Just like a subway map provides quick insight by focussing on metro lines, stations and transfer stations, Flows Maps give insight in water system components (like a waterway, an ecotope or a dam) and the relations between those components.
When you are interested in more detail, Flows Maps links to the original maps. The pink dots link the Flows Maps to Flows Archive.