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Posted by: Abraham Parrish
This blog post explores examples of current and historical condominiums and how they are depicted on maps.
Posted in: 17th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Borders
Posted by: Tim St. Onge
A fascinating 1787 map serves as a cartographic launching point for exploring the unique history of Belize and how the region’s lush forests drew the interest of colonial powers.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Borders, Physical Geography
Posted by: Amelia Raines
This post explores the history and geographic complexity of Europe’s fourth-smallest country, the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, 21st century cartography, Borders, European History
Posted by: Amelia Raines
For several hundred years, the term "Tartary" - or its Latin version, Tartaria - appeared on European maps, usually floating somewhere between Eastern Europe and China. This post explores the etymology of the place name and the various regions to which it referred.
Posted in: 15th century cartography, 16th century cartography, 17th century cartography, 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Asian History, Borders, European History
Posted by: Lena Mattson
Most American cities are encompassed by one or more counties and overlap with them in jurisdiction, but there are 41 unique cases known as independent cities, and 38 of them are in Virginia. Read more to learn why!
Posted in: 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, American History, Borders, City Histories
Posted by: Amelia Raines
This post explores a unique Thai cloth map, acquired by the Geography and Map Division in 2023.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Asian History, Borders, Manuscripts
Posted by: Tim St. Onge
An 1898 map allows for a close examination of the natural and political geography of colonization during the "Scramble for Africa" and the never-completed Cape to Cairo Railway.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, African History, Borders, Military History
Posted by: Amelia Raines
1960 was a dramatic year for Africa, in which 17 countries gained their independence from colonial powers. This post charts the events of that watershed year through a series of political maps produced by the CIA.
Posted in: 20th century cartography, African History, Borders, Middle East and North African History
Posted by: Amelia Raines
In 1884-85, a group of European dignitaries met in Berlin and delineated the boundaries of French, British, Belgian, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and German colonies on the continent of Africa. Lines drawn on the map became administrative reality, and over the next few decades European governments busied themselves with exploring, surveying, and conquering their new territories. One …
Posted in: 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, African History, Borders, European History, Exploration