Historical e-atlas of the world

 

The world in 50 historical maps: 20BC-2018
Ioannis Guertsonii
2020




PART I gives an  introduction to the use of early maps, the publication of general atlases and the changing world map. PART II gives additional information on how maps are made. PART III gives an overview of the history of cartography (timeline). PART IV contains a selection of remarkable country maps and a description of their makers. The series shows its changing shape through time: from the first drawn maps via the Golden Age (of Cartography) to the present day. The maps are not only characterized by their content based on newly available information.  The cartographic drawing style has also evolved through time: from early manuscript and woodcut drawings via (copper) engravings to modern printing techniques. The timeline  follows the (European) history of  cartography.  Maps drawn by  the most famous cartographers of  each era are presented. In the Appendix a selection of common Latin words, used on ancient maps, is explained.

Part IV starts with the earliest survived maps; the series includes the following maps (when available): 
  • Designs of classic Greek scholars, being the first geographers to describe the world and its countries
  • Portolan charts of Portuguese and Spanish explorers
  • The first printed maps in Italy and Germany, mostly based on Ptolemy’s work
  • Atlases published in the Low Countries, after Antwerp and Amsterdam became centres of map trade
  • French overview maps based on more accurate surveying techniques 
  • English maps after London became a centre of modern (school) geography
  • Maps from large world atlases produced by the topographic service of Russia (and Poland)
  • First maps generated by satellites and computers (USA)
Most of the earliest maps are in the classic Latin language, most ‘modern’ maps are in the English language. In principle, the maps are presented in a chronological order. In case the exact years when an author has lived (birthday etc.) are not known, his/her active period as a cartographer is indicated by the prefix fl. (meaning ‘flourished’). The exact date of the maps could not always be identified. In these cases the mentioned year has a prefix meaning: a (after) = year or little later, b (before) = year or little earlier, c (circa) = around the mentioned year. In case the map is a reproduction, the year when the map was redrawn is added (between the brackets). E.g. Ptolemy 150 AD (1480) means that the map is (re)drawn in 1480 but originates from the year 150 AD.