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History of Maps
The oldest surviving maps are maps from Mesopotamia made on clay tablets and maps from ancient Mediterranean cultures made on mosaic tile. The writings of ancient Greece and Rome refer to other maps, but these were drawn on perishable parchment or paper, and the originals have disappeared. Some early maps have survived, however, by being copied and recopied.
Famous Imaginary Maps
Maps can cover a large or small area
Geography
The ancient Greeks (~500 BC) were the first culture to explore geography as a science. The Romans continued mapping as they explored new lands. During the Middle Ages (~1000 AD) , Arabs continued to develop new techniques.
Modern Maps
Many maps include both physical and political features. A physical feature of the land includes rivers, lakes, and mountains. Political map features include the boundaries of countries and the locations of cities.
Your Assignment for Today
Think of a story you've read. Create a map that describes the location where it takes place.
Most maps made hundreds of years ago were very inaccurate, based on the experience of the cartographer drawing what he knew, and what he didn't know he just made up. Cartographers had to go in person to every location themselves. Even in the 1920s and 30s, the Army Corps of Engineers traveled all over the U.S. to draw the states, climbing mountains, sailing the coastlines, and traveling the plains and deserts.
Include on your map:
- a compass rose indicating the 4 directions
- a legend showing what your symbols mean