MAPS
Cartography is one of the oldest jobs in the world. Since the dawn of time humans have felt the need to know the ground they stood and sailed on.
Europe is one of the most mapped continents in history. Its image has changed across the centuries, through many and quite different maps. They did not only picture the terrain's shape, but also what could be found in it as well.
Map projection is a graphic representation system that establishes a measured relationship between some points on the curved surface of the Earth and those on a flat surface (the map). These points are located with the help of a web of meridians and parallels in the shape of a net.
There are three basic types of projections: cylindrical (Mercator), conic and azimuthal. The only way to avoid the distortions of projection is using a geodesic map, but these distortions are minimally represented on a spherical map.
MAP OF EUROPE IN A CONIC PROJECTION POLIOMETRIA MAP OF GERMANY
NAUTICAL, MARITIME OR NAVAL CHARTS
THE FIRST CARTOGRAPHERS
At the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th, several famed cartographers made splendid map collections.
Born in Antwerp in 1527, Abraham Ortelius is one of the most relevant Flemish geographers and cartographers, alongside Mercator. He drew the first modern atlas, the beautiful "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum".
Gerardus Mercator (1569) invented the most used and incorrect cartographic projection of all time. Mercator was one of the first who kept the continents' real shapes intact in his maps, but not their sizes. He did not correctly solve the problem of the representation of a round surface like the Earth on a flat one. His solution? He drew the pole and all the adjacent territories bigger.
Cartography reached its highest point with the Blaeu family. The maps they published soon grew popular for their great beauty and impeccable technique. Their printer became the largest in all of Europe.
The Blaeu dinasty of cartographers flourished for approximately 100 years. It was founded by Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638). He established himself in Amsterdam in 1596, making globes and navigation instruments. At the beginning of the 17th century Willem acquired a printing house and diversified his activity.
Towards 1630 his son, Johannes (1598-1673), joined the business, and they started to sign their maps together in 1631. They began to publish a series of atlases that surpassed the beatury and reach of everything that was done until that moment.
This globe, property of a Blaeu family descendant, is available for viewing and downloading in our Biblioteca Virtual del Patrimonio Bibliográfico:
Cartography has evolved throughout history. The following images represent an illustrative example:
18th century 19th century 20th century
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