Cartography

By: Aiden P.

A very simple map of the known world according to Arabs, created by Muhammad al-Idrisi around 1154 CE. Note that the South is at the top of the map.(Image 1)

Cartography, the study of maps, was developed throughout the ages. Islamic cartographers developed cartography. Muslim world atlases are a representation of this development and advancement of cartography by Islamic cartographers.

Muslim cartographers were also able to calculate the circumference of the Earth. This advancement gave way to additional possibilities in the field of cartography. Muhammad al-Idris, a Muslim geographer and cartographer, was able to accomplish this. The atlas composed by Muhammad al-Idris, named Tabula Rogeriana, or The Recreation for Him Who Wishes to Travel Through the Countries, showed both the geography of the world as contained in the atlas, as well as the circumference of the Earth. This atlas additionally contained the Earth portrayed as spherical. The circumference according to the atlas measured 22,900 miles, or 36,900 km., although mapped in 70 rectangular sections.

The Tabula Rogeriana, created by Muhammad al-Idrisi.

(Image 2)

Muhammad al-Idrisi(Image 3)

Arab Muslim cartographer Muhammad al-Idrisi, thought to descend from Islamic Prophet Muhammad, was born in the probable place of Sabtah, Morocco, which is now known as Ceuta, at about 1100 C.E. He studied in Cordoba, and additionally visited numerous different places such as Asia Minor, Hungary, the French Atlantic coast, and even as extensive North as York, England. After becoming the advisor to King Roger II of Sicily, he was tasked with creating an updated world map. After 9 years, the book named The Excursion of One Who is Eager to Traverse the Regions of the World, was completed, and contained the geography of the world that was known at that time. Al-Idrisi used his own experience, Arabic sources, the earlier creations of Ptolemy, and also knowledge from world travelers.

Muslim world atlases were just one of the many different inventions of the Islamic Empire during the Middle Ages. With Muslim world atlases, there also came maps. These Ottoman atlases were manuscripts, which were written by hand. European ones were printed. Muhammad al-Idrisi composed a map which detailed geographical areas such as Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Far East.

Islamic cartography left a footprint for the innovations that followed it. Cartography today helps us for example know where to place a building or know how to get somewhere. Furthermore, cartography led the way to things like Google Maps, which allows us to see the entire world. Without cartography, we wouldn't know where anything is. Cartography impacted life today in many ways.

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