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.
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 Quetzalecatzins map: Aztecs versus colonial power
Map
7. All the worlds people, as seen from Japan
Map
8. A sailors 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. Chinas high-speed revolution
Map
18. A transparent map of a three-dimensional city
Map
19. Big maps for big data
Map
20. Googles 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 and About the Author
ALASTAIR BONNETT is Professor of Social Geography at Newcastle University. Previous books include Off the Map, What is Geography? and How to Argue. He has also contributed to history and current affairs magazines on a wide variety of topics, such as world population and radical nostalgia. Alastair was editor of the avant-garde, psychogeographical, magazine Transgressions: A Journal of Urban Exploration between 1994-2000. Alastair lives in Newcastle.
