diff --git a/utils/stats/mapdef_stats.py b/utils/stats/mapdef_stats.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..b9c7b27b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/stats/mapdef_stats.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+import sys
+from mapnik import *
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
+        print "usage : ./mapdef_stats.py <mapdefinition file>"
+        sys.exit(0)
+
+    m = Map(100,100)
+    num_rules = 0
+    num_sym = 0
+    load_map(m,sys.argv[1])
+    for l in m.layers:
+        print "Layer:%s"  % l.name
+        for s in l.styles:
+            print "    Style:%s" % s
+            style = m.find_style(s)
+            num_rules += len(style.rules)
+            for r in style.rules:
+                print "        Filter: %s" % r.filter
+                num_sym += len(r.symbols)
+                            
+    print "Total number of layers      %s" % len(m.layers)
+    print "Total number of rules       %s" % num_rules
+    print "Total number of symbolizers %s" % num_sym