This compact history traces early map drawings across ancient civilizations, the rise of geodesy, and the long path to modern cartography. Accessible and engaging, it connects discoveries in astronomy, geography, and exploration to the maps we use today.

From ancient road plans etched on papyrus to Ptolemy’s influential coordinates, this book shows how each era added precision, tested ideas, and expanded our view of the world. Readers will learn how explorers and scientists shaped the way we measure distance, latitude, and longitude, and why great-circle sailing matters to navigation.

Foundational ideas behind map-making and how early observations influenced modern geography
Key figures and turning points that advanced scientific cartography
How tools like the globe, compass, and astronomy transformed understanding of the world
Clear explanations of concepts such as latitude, longitude, rhumb lines, and great circle routes

Ideal for curious readers new to geography or history, and for anyone who wants a concise background on how our maps came to be.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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