The journey of maps from Middle Ages to the modern-day GPS
When you want to visit a new location, you quickly enter the destination into Google Maps. Global Positioning System or GPS has become an integral part of our daily lives. Particularly, Google Maps has made visiting new places more convenient and less stressful. It is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to new features such as a congestion indicator and an automatic short route detector. But have you ever thought about what life was like before Google Maps? The history of maps is enthralling. The first map was created by Anaximander, a Greek academic, in the 6th century BC! Since then, the world of maps has undergone numerous changes. Do you want to know how maps evolved from the Middle Ages to the present? Keep reading to find out.
Maps of the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, between 476 AD and 1453 AD, merchants’ writings were used to create maps. As a result, they were not geographically accurate and were used mainly for religious storytelling. Nonetheless, the maps created during this period were significant and laid the groundwork for future maps. The world’s first atlas, Tabula Rogeriana, was created during the Middle Ages! In 1154 AD, Al-Sharif al-Idrisi, an Arab geographer and cartographer, created the first atlas with over 70 regional maps! Maps in Tabula Rogeriana were oriented south because it was thought to be the correct direction for prayer.
Later, in 1300 AD, a clergyman named Richard of Haldringham created the Hereford Mappa Mundi. It is a religious map depicting the divine path. The map showed Adam and Eve’s Garden of Eden, Hercules’ pillars, mythological creatures, animals and biblical scenes!
The Renaissance maps
During the Renaissance period (1300 to 1600 AD), cartographers (people who create maps) shifted away from religious viewpoints and began creating geographically accurate maps. Renaissance saw an increase in exploration, which demanded the creation of more accurate maps. This need prompted the development of several devices that shaped the history of mapmaking. Renaissance also witnessed the introduction of printing technology. As a result, maps started becoming easily accessible. Kings began using maps to plan military campaigns and compass lines to guide sailors. However, it was challenging to represent a 3D sphere map on paper.
In 1569, inventor Gerard Mercator from Belgium devised the Mercator projection (a type of map projection) to address this issue. He extended the latitudes north and south of the equator, providing a more accurate representation of areas closer to the equator. The Mercator projection became so well-known that it was universally accepted by the 18th century.
Evolution of maps during industrial revolution
The 19th century saw the oncoming industrial revolution worldwide. During the industrial revolution, maps became more important than ever. With the development of railroads and improved roadway transportation, maps became smaller and easier to carry. Maps were now used by every person regardless of their class and occupation. The demand for accuracy in maps was also high during this time, and almost every map became factual. Let’s take a look at how modern cartography evolved.
Modern maps
Today, satellite data are powering modern maps and enabling technologies such as Google Maps. However, a turning point in the history of cartography occurred in 1980, when the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were developed. This technology integrated geographic information using topography (information about the natural features of an area) and street maps. The introduction of GIS into the mapmaking world enabled us to see cities and forests in 3D (three dimensional)! It truly represents the pinnacle of modern mapping. You’d now agree that we have indeed come very far since the 4th century BC. But maps are still evolving, and many more changes may come.