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Earliest maps date back as far as 5000 years ago and
more. The Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations made extensive maps
depicting their lands, cities, temples and other information.
Ptolemy published a geographical encyclopaedia in the 2nd century AD and
the age of exploration from the early 14th century on brought map making
into the realm of modern sciences.
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Many world libraries, museums and other institutions and
organizations hold collections of maps. Map making speaks to the
human creativity and to preserve this prolific endeavor of humanity has
long been held in high regard. Fortunately, through the internet, it is
now possible to visit and view many of these historical and modern maps on line. |
Drawing a quick sketch in the sand of your whereabouts
goes back longer than you think. Our earliest
ancestors used it as a ways to communicate and remember. Since then
every imaginable material has been used to make maps, from wood and clay
to bone and stone, up to and including the computer and space technology for modern
geographic information systems. |
