Maps are the geographer's most important tools. The history of maps stretches back tens of thousands of years, to a time when humans lived in damp caves. During this time, humans began to draw things that were important to their way of life on the walls of the caves they lived in.

Usually, these drawings focused on portraying animals, people, and hunting activities. These ancient drawings can be considered to be the first maps. As a result, the practice of cartography can be said to be older than the practice of writing.

The oldest world map dates back 6 000 years. This map, which is now visible in the British Museum in London, originates from ancient Babylonia. The map is a clay tablet that portrays the world as it was understood by the Babylonian civilization. 

Several thousand years later, Greek philosophers and scientists figured out how to calculate the shape and circumference of planet Earth.


The Greek polymath Eratosthenes was the first person to devise a map that made use of latitudes and longitudes. In addition, he is credited with coming up with the word "geography", which is still used to singify the study of the planet Earth and its phenomena.

Over a thousand years after the ancient Greeks, the European understanding of the planet was once again revolutionized, this time as a result of exploration. You may be familiar with the names Marco Polo, Cristopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferninand Magellan.

These explorers stretched out the boundaries of the known world on their journeys across the globe. During their long expeditions, they gathered information about the geography, nature and cultures of the places they visited. In addition, these explorers created maps and illustrations in order to help them present what they saw to others.

Nowadays, maps are everyday objects. We use map applications on our phones or computers almost every single day, when looking up directions and routes to different places in our daily lives.

Likewise, many interactive experiences, such as the mobile game Pokemon Go, use geographic data to bring together the real world and a virtual game world.
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