We’ve all recently used maps. We use paper map guides to navigate through new territory when we’re traveling for business or with the family on vacation. Whenever we search a new restaurant, business, or attraction on the Internet, a digital map automatically comes up with the place we typed in and its surrounding neighborhood. But have you ever wondered how the world map came to be?

Maps of the world are either considered to be political or physical. A political map shows borders of territories and countries; a physical map shows geography, such as mountain ranges and land use. Maps that show the surface of the earth use a projection process, in which three-dimensional images are translated to a two-dimensional image. One of the more popular world map projection is the Mercator Projection, which was originally drafted to map out the nautical chart.

From different world and cultural variations of how the world once looked, to today’s aerial maps, this is the evolution of the world map.

Some of the first thoughts of creating a map started around 450 BC by Greek historian Herodotus. Known as the Father of History, he was the first historian to collect materials, test their accuracy, and arrange them in a constructed and bold narrative. Through his travels and studies, Herodotus provided information about the world and science. He was the first historian who traveled the world to supplement his ideas and thoughts about the geography of the world. Herodotus was inspired by Greek mathematician Pythagoras and his geometry, and later coined the terms Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Aristotle, another Greek philosopher, was a student of Plato and Alexander the Great. One of the founding figures of Western philosophy and geography, Aristotle considered physical elements, such as wind and temperature, to be factors of human habitat. Aristotle also hypothesized that the earth was segregated into three different climate zones, which were all determined by their juxtaposition from the equator. He named the zones temperate, torrid, and frigid.

Around 250 BC, Greek scholar Eratosthenes was one of the first to assume that the earth was round. He was the first Greek to calculate the circumference of the Earth and the tilt of the earth’s axis; he also developed the concepts of parallel and meridian, and invented the system of longitude and latitude.

Around 150 AD, Roman Greek scholar Ptolemy assigned geographical coordinates to the geographic features he knew of and provided instructions on how to create terrain maps of the world. His map of the world would remain the most accurate until the later age of discovery.

T and O maps came into play as the physical world described by the scholar Isidore of Seville. Isidore determined that the land was round and the ocean flowed around areas that were divided in three parts: Asia, Europe and Africa.

The 15th and 16th centuries were marked by a number of maritime explorations of the European nations. This time also marked innovations in the compass, to calculate for a more precise map; larger ships with better structure; and finally, the creation of the first accurate world map.

Today’s map was completed in the early 20th century and provided an accurate view of the world, with all of the major continents.

As technology continued to improve, researchers created topographic mapping, aerial mapping, and photographs, as well as digital mapping and 3D maps of the United States and Europe

Because of the information it has made readily accessible, the Internet has become the place to conduct research. Online visitors can type in ï3D maps or ï3D world map to see images of their next destination. Satellites have also played a role in the industry of world maps, and GPS maps are widely used among drivers who need directional help while they are in the car.

Geographic Information Systems, or GIS Maps involve a combination of information that is grouped by layers and organized visually to display the data. GIS mapping is heavily favored by developmental agencies looking to propose new projects in a visually stimulating way.

Digital elevation model (DEM) maps are another type of mapping model that has been a result of the increase in technology. DEMs show the ground surface topography or terrain of a specific area. These types of maps are created by using remote sensing techniques. Remote sensing gathers information with the use of a recording or real-time sensing mechanism that is not in physical contact with the item or location. This type of information-gathering method is used in earth observation, as well as ocean- and atmosphere-observing weather buoy platforms. DEMs are commonly used in geographic information systems and with digitally produced relief maps. These types of maps are also used to model water flow or mass movement of items, rendering 3D visualizations, reduction of gravity measurements and terrain analyses in physical geography.

Through the ages, a number of philosophers and researchers from a variety of cultures and countries have contributed to today’s formation of the world map. What started in Greece and Rome has helped to form today’s technology, which helps our understanding of how the earth’s land masses interrelate.

Tags: 3D Maps, aerial mapping, contour maps, DEM, digital elevation model, digital mapping, Elevation Data, gis mapping, gis maps, gps maps, topographic mapping

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 8:01 pm and is filed under 3D Maps, Mapping History. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.