Maps of the world introduction

In Human Geo today we talked about maps. I learned many things about maps including that we have been using maps for hundreds of years. Maps serve the purpose of a reference tool to identify on objects and relative location and as a communication tool to convey the distribution of human activities or physical features. I also learned that the first world map was prepared by Eratosthenes in 276-194 BC. Improvements to the world map were later made by Ptolemy. After ptolemy the advancement in cartography was primarily made outside of Europe by Chinese and islamic world. Mapmaking revived during the age of exploration and discovery. The last thing I learned was that Mediterranean means the middle of the earth.