This beautifully illustrated book showcases more than 60 of the greatest maps ever made from the ancient Babylonian map carved on a stone tablet through medieval maps such as the mappa mundi to the modern satellite images of Google Earth Drawing upon geography science exploration art culture & mythology maps have existed almost as long as the human race They do more than simply describe the landscape
- they also offer a unique window into the lives & beliefs of their creators Great Maps shows how they have changed our understanding of the world & features both entire maps & close-up visual tours that pull out key details that offer intriguing historical & cultural context From maps of the world filled with fantastical monsters through famous explorers discovering new continents to the first road atlases & modern data-mapping & cartography Great Maps explores in stunning photographic detail how maps have influenced & reflected our world throughout history