The city: a place of hopes & dreams, destruction & conflict, vision & order. The first city atlas, the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, was published by Braun & Hogenburg in 1572 for the armchair traveller interested in a world that was opening up around him. Since then our fascination with foreign cities has not abated. This sumptuous volume looks at the development of the mapping & representation of the city revealing how we organize the urban space. From skyline profiles, bird`s eye views & panoramas, to the schematic maps of transport networks & road layouts to help us navigate, & statistical maps that can provide information on human aspirations, cities can reveal themselves in many ways. Focusing on key points in the development of urban representation & including visions of the future of how we would be living today, this enlightening book illustrates some of the oldest, youngest, liveliest, & most contested cities in the world. Each map has a purpose & its design reflects this. Extended captions explain its relevance & elegance. For anyone interested in the city in which they live or with the desire to explore the history & culture of a metropolis overseas, this book is an enlightening companion.