40 Maps That Will Change How You See the World

Alastair Bonnett, Jennifer Barr

• Publisher: Ivy Press
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9780711293540, 9780711293533
• eBook ISBN: 9780711293557
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Historical Geography
• Index: History

Turn the pages of this thought-provoking book, and discover maps that challenge conventional wisdom, confront social and political norms and offer fresh perspectives on familiar landscapes.

This meticulously curated selection of 40 maps spans the ages, from ancient parchment scrolls to cutting-edge digital creations. Each map is a window into a different facet of our world, shedding light on the complex interplay of geography, geopolitics, art, history, science, and society.

Maps have always held the power to transport us, not just from one place to another, but from one state of mind to another. Beyond their utilitarian function, maps have an extraordinary ability to tell stories, reveal truths, and inspire revolutions.

They are not mere drawings of geographic boundaries, but gateways to the collective wisdom of humanity. You'll encounter maps that dissect the intricate tapestry of human migration, maps that unveil the secrets of the cosmos and maps, that expose the stark realities of our changing climate. These maps are not just illustrations; they are provocations, invitations to rethink the world.

40 Maps That Will Change How You See the World is not just a book for geographers or history buffs; it is a profound exploration for anyone with a curious mind. Whether you're an armchair traveler, a seasoned explorer, a student of geopolitics, or an art aficionado, this book will challenge your preconceptions, spark lively discussions, and deepen your appreciation for the interconnectedness of our world.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Contents
• Introduction
• Map 1 A 9,000-year-old town map
• Map 2 The first modern map
• Map 3 The oldest map of the British Isles
• Map 4 When China discovered the world?
• Map 5 The world on its head. The Ottoman Empire eyes the New World
• Map 6 Lord Quetzalecatzin’s map: Aztecs versus colonial power
• Map 7 All the world’s people, as seen from Japan
• Map 8 A sailor’s map made of sticks and shells
• Map 9 The shattered tear drop: a journey to another shore
• Map 10 If Africa had not been colonized
• Map 11 An empire made visible
• Map 12 The German USA
• Map 13 Who owns Alaska?
• Map 14 A world-leading environmental plan from Africa
• Map 15 New maps for a new superpower
• Map 16 All heading south! Antarctica is getting busy
• Map 17 China’s high-speed revolution
• Map 18 A transparent map of a three-dimensional city
• Map 19 Big maps for big data
• Map 20 Google’s chameleon maps
• Map 21 A women-friendly city is something to be
• Map 22 Overwhelmed by the noise of cars and trucks
• Map 23 Mapping the smells of a seaside vacation
• Map 24 A game of love
• Map 25 Wandering ghosts: the art of GPS
• Map 26 Mapping the human brain, one sliver at a time
• Map 27 Dancing geography: how bees draw maps
• Map 28 Wood wide web: how trees and fungi help each other out
• Map 29 Earth power: how earthquakes reveal a hidden planet
• Map 30 Planet potato: a map of gravity
• Map 31 Vertical extremes: from Challenger Deep to Tilicho Lake
• Map 32 There is only one ocean
• Map 33 Sundaland: a hidden ancient homeland, now under the sea
• Map 34 Europe in a world without ice
• Map 35 Cooking Iberia: a map of extreme heat
• Map 36 The hidden great lake
• Map 37 Olympus Mons and new maps of Mars
• Map 38 A journey across the Sun
• Map 39 Lakeside on Titan
• Map 40 Our new home: the Laniakea Supercluster
• References
• Index
• Picture Credits
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• Copyright