Buzz
Throughout much of history, maps were crafted not only for accuracy but also for their ornamental appeal. When maps were hand-drawn, their creation was a complex and expensive endeavor. Those created for personal libraries were often lavish, serving as luxury items to display status. Even today, some cartographers design maps with the intention to convey a message, while others focus purely on aesthetic beauty. Sometimes, a map created for purely practical reasons also turns out to be visually captivating.
10. Planisphaerium Arateum Sive Compages Orbium Mundanorum Ex Hypothesi Aratea In Plano Expressa
The planisphere of Aratus, or the representation of the celestial orbits based on Aratus' hypothesis, was created by Andreas Cellarius and published in 1660 as part of his Harmonia Macrocosmica (the harmony of the macrocosm). It illustrates a model of the universe according to the Greek astronomer and poet Aratus, with Earth at the center and the Sun, Moon, and planets orbiting around it, while the zodiac signs orbit these celestial bodies.
The orbits are beautifully graceful, with every detail meticulously clear and precise. Each map in the Harmonia is visually captivating, but this one merges the best qualities of them all.
9. The Cedid Atlas Tercumesi
Selim III, who was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire at the time, initiated numerous reforms and modernization efforts during his reign. The 1803 atlas stands as the first known complete printed atlas in the Muslim world to incorporate European-style cartography. Only 50 copies of this atlas were produced, and many of them were destroyed in a warehouse fire during a Janissary uprising against Selim’s reforms, making it one of the rarest printed atlases.
The lettering in the atlas is exceptionally well-crafted, even by the era's high standards. Each page was affixed to cloth instead of paper to enhance its durability.
8. This Fantasy Map Of Sarkamand
This map of a grand desert capital, home to the Padisha, was created using Photoshop and Illustrator by Robert Altbauer. The style of the lettering evokes Arabic, and the name itself is a nod to the exceptionally beautiful city of Samarkand, which is located in present-day Uzbekistan.
The design of interlocking circles almost resembles photographs of cellular structures. Altbauer is known for his map designs for games, television shows, and fantasy novels.
7. An Ancient Mappe Of Fairyland
Created in 1918, this map showcases an island filled with locations from various myths, fairy tales, and folklore. The majority of the sources are British, but there are also references from Greek and German legends. The map includes places like Oberon’s kingdom from *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, the tomb of King Arthur, a mountain where rocs nest, Red Riding Hood’s cottage, Tom Thumb, Monsalvat (where the Grail Knights guard the Holy Grail), and Ulysses's ship.
Sleigh's work was heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, particularly the works of William Morris. This influence is evident not only in the subject matter but also in the subtle color palette. Given that 1918 marked the end of World War I, it’s likely that Sleigh and admirers of the map saw this peaceful fantasy world—where even dragons seem serene—as a welcome retreat from the harsh realities of war.
6. The Duke’s Map of New York
In 1664, the English seized New York from the Dutch. This map features several of the original spellings from that era, including Hudson’s River, Longe Isleland, and Mannados. The map was given to James, the Duke of York, with the anticipation that he would christen the city in his own name.
This design, adapted from a previous Dutch map, combines intricate details like the decorative border and legend with large expanses of empty space illustrating the land and much of the water. The British ships, delicately drawn to signify the city’s new British ownership, accentuate the blank spaces.
5. Cheonhado
This map, crafted in Korea around 1800, is referred to as a Cheonhado. The term translates to 'complete map of all under Heaven' and places the mystical Mount Meru at its center. In Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions, Mount Meru is seen not only as the physical but also the spiritual center of the universe.
Other nations, disregarding their actual sizes or geographical positions, are depicted revolving around China and Mount Meru.
4. Yongying County In China
This map, created in China between 1734 and 1779, illustrates the river systems of Yongying County in China. Unlike most Western maps, the south is positioned at the top, with the north placed at the bottom.
The map was painted on silk, with labels attached separately. The soft curves and subdued colors lend it a serene and peaceful feel.
3. Book Of Navigation
Piri Reis, an Ottoman admiral, crafted numerous exquisite maps, with a notable collection featured in his 1521 Book of Navigation. These maps exemplify the intricate artistry of Ottoman illuminated manuscripts, and while the depiction of land masses (which were of lesser importance to Reis) is notably precise, there’s a whimsical quality in their coloring.
Reis’s initial world map, created in 1513, incorporates both North and South America. Some believe that the portion showcasing the southernmost part of South America and the Antarctic coastline is so remarkably accurate it suggests humans explored Antarctica centuries earlier than records suggest. Nevertheless, the map contains several inaccuracies, such as an inscription stating that the region is warm, which indicates that the accurate details were more likely the result of well-informed guesses rather than direct exploration.
2. Geological Study of the Alluvial Plain of the Lower Mississippi River
In 1944, Harold Norman Fisk, a professor of geology, presented this work as part of a report for the Army Corps of Engineers. The maps illustrating the Mississippi River’s changes over time resemble the undulating patterns of muscle tissue, the flowing shapes of ribbon candy, and even elements of abstract art.
The research behind these maps is as remarkable as the maps themselves. Fisk and his team analyzed about 16,000 soil samples collected from various sites along the river, cross-referencing them with aerial photos to trace the river’s historical flow patterns.
1. Leo Belgicus
In 1583, Michael Aitzinger created a map that portrayed the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium in the shape of a lion, inspired by the region’s frequent use of lions in its heraldry. He named it the Leo Belgicus, sparking a trend among mapmakers. The most renowned version of this map was created by Claes Janszoon Visscher in 1611.
+A Humorous Diplomatic Atlas of Europe and Asia
In March 1904, at the onset of the Russian-Japanese war, student Kisabur Ohara published an atlas that depicted Russia as an octopus attempting to strangle much of Asia and Europe. Finland, Poland, Crimea, and the Balkans are shown as lifeless, represented by skulls, while Turkey, Persia, and Tibet are tightly ensnared. Each living country is illustrated by a figure in traditional attire, and one of the octopus's limbs is reaching toward Korea and Port Arthur, ready to capture them as well.
Earlier maps depicted Russia as an octopus extending greedily through Asia, but this is the first known version to show Europe as being in danger too. Even without any accompanying text, the map effectively portrays Russia as a menacing beast and signals the threat to neighboring countries.
