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To the Ends of the Earth

How the Greatest Maps Were Made

Philip Parker

Description

This lavishly illustrated book provides a unique insight into the evolution of mapmaking and the science behind it, from the stone age to the digital age.

Exploring key cartographers and mapmaking methods, as well as fascinating interludes on subjects such as the very first maps, deliberate mistakes and superlative maps, this comprehensive guide explores how the techniques and technology have developed throughout human history:

Evolving methods of surveying: from the Roman groma, through the naval instruments of the magnetic compass, astrolabes and sextants, to the 20th century revolution of aerial photography
Drawing tools and materials: from Babylonian maps carved in clay, to digital maps created via touchscreen
The introduction of various mapping conventions and key components of a map: from Ptolemy's introduction of longitude and latitude, through the 13th century origins of having north at the top, to the various projections used to represent the Earth

With visually stunning historic maps and antique instruments, this book will engross readers with its fascinating stories of how we came to chart our world.