The thread on cache density was a useful reminder of how much simpler things used to be when I started caching.
Using a GSAK export to Google Earth, it's interesting to see the not only the massive increase in caches around my area in Essex, but also the exponential growth of the micro relative to others.

Micros are shown as black containers on these annual GE screenshots:
2004:


2005:


2006:


2007:


2008:



2009:



2008 is when the rot set in!