Cartography:

GPS has become commonplace in our world today. But before the advent of this technology, maps were used to help navigate, and shape our understanding of the world. The earliest maps known often present unique world views, as much of the globe had not yet been thoroughly explored. But as more cultures crossed the vast oceans, maps began to depict more accurate representations of the lands and seas.

The oldest known maps, preserved on Babylonian clay tablets, date back to around 2300 BCE. Additionally, cartography was was an advanced topic of study in ancient Greece. The concept of a spherical Earth was well known and accepted among Greek philosophers, and has been accepted by geographers since.

Many early maps also served political, social, and economical purposes. They focused on specific topics such as trade routes, colonial territories, and natural resources.

Those responsible for studying and creating maps are called cartographers. Cartographers throughout history and across the globe have created maps which influenced society and the future of cartography. Today, much cartographic work is done via new technology, like the internet or specific mapping programs. But the early days of map making combined art, science, philosophy, and more.