In early times, the Mediterranean Sea was the central point of transport, trade and cultural connection between North Africa, Western Asia and Southern Europe. The Italians, the Genoese and the Venetians, in particular, made their mark on the Mediterranean shores as traders. Sailing by way of the Mediterranean and Black Seas was essential to commerce […]

The nautical chart titled A Portolan Chart of the Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Continents was published in 1633 and is attributed to Dutch cartographer Pascal Roiz. Roiz worked as a cartographer during the second half of the 17th and early 18th centuries. In the 1640s, he worked under the guidance of Willem Blaeu in Amsterdam, […]

Housed in the Library of Congress is the Portolan Chart of the Mediterranean and Connecting Seas. This 1550 portolan chart’s cartographer is unknown, and its title is one devised by a cataloguer. Still, its significance is not to be overlooked as it represents a significant example of an early marine invention that greatly enhanced sea […]

While it’s easy to enjoy our maps as art pieces, many people don’t realize that they’re the perfect learning tool for children of all ages! Besides looking gorgeous on your wall, our maps encourage positive mental development while also boosting knowledge and creativity. Today, we’re going to share the many ways that children can benefit […]

This hand-painted map, Hawaii, 1906, is derived from the work of John Bartholomew of Edinburgh, Scotland. Bartholomew was a cartographer, as well as a map and atlas publisher, who emerged from a renowned line of map-makers that created the map-making business that was known as John Bartholomew and Son Ltd. Along with his brothers, Peter and […]

The Rand, McNally & Co.’s Alaska map is the work of Rand, McNally and Company, published in Chicago in 1878. It is from the Rand McNally & Co’s Business Atlas that contains large-scale maps of the territory of the United States, the provinces of Canada, West India Islands, a list of counties and towns, lakes […]