All pixels are the same, no distortion on poles or equator.

Pixels are variable in size, shape, random size, random position and random rotation (morpher). It is possible to highlight a separate (big enough) country or several ones by means of a different shape and an opacity map. The scene must contain two pixeled globe objects in this case.

Borders can be found in photoshop file.

Back side can be easily removed for reducind poly count (id #2 polys).

Three channels or mapping for every case (I used 1st and 3rd).

See the presentation images.

Obj archive contains all the morph targets (blend shapes) used.