charts Flashcards
IHO
The IHO, established in 1921, ensures global seas and navigable waters are surveyed and charted. It coordinates national hydrographic offices, sets standards, and provides guidelines. Monaco hosts the IHO’s headquarters
first world map
The Babylonian Map (500 BC) is the first world chart, showing Mesopotamia centered on the Euphrates River. Babylon is on the river, Susa is misplaced to the northwest, and a “bitter river” surrounds the land with distant regions beyond.
map of the known world following ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy, a 2nd-century geographer, created influential maps using latitudes and longitudes. Despite using an incorrect Earth size estimate, his work shaped future cartography, introduced the conic projection, and established north at the top of maps.
portolan charts
Catalonian sailors created the first useful medieval charts, known as portolan charts, based on navigational knowledge and land surveys. With the compass, these charts became more accurate, featuring rhumb lines, a “rose dei venti,” and a scale of miles, marking key navigation hazards.
world map of the midle ages
In 1515, Leonardo da Vinci’s map showed America stretched east-west and a vast ocean between South America and the mythical southern continent. In 1570, Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum accurately depicted Europe, Africa, and Asia, but poorly showed the Americas and considered Australia part of the unknown southern continent.
the mercator projection
In 1569, Gerardus Mercator created a world map using a new projection, but errors and lack of explanation delayed its use. In 1599, Edward Wright fully explained the Mercator projection and provided a useful table, making it accessible to navigators through his work Certaine Errors in Navigation Detected and Corrected.
The Mercator projection’s advantage is that rhumb lines are straight, aiding navigation. The downside is that rhumb lines are not the shortest path between two points—this is the great circle, which appears curved.
past mercator
After the dead of Mercator, Hondius and Bleau continued his work. Waghenaer’s 1584 atlas was designed for seamen. Collins surveyed Britain’s coast in 1681, leading to the Coasting Pilot. France established its hydrographic office in 1720, followed by Denmark and Britain. Many other countries set up offices in the 19th century.
