A historical atlas is an atlas that includes historical maps and charts depicting the evolving
geopolitical landscape. They are helpful in understanding historical context, the scope and scale of historical events and historical subjects (such as the expansion of the
Roman Empire), and
macro-history
Macrohistory seeks out large, long-term trends in world history in search of ultimate patterns by a comparison of proximate details. It favors a comparative or world-historical perspective to determine the roots of changes as well as the developmen ...
. Some historical atlases try to present the entire history of the world, such as the ''
Historical Atlas of the World
''Historical Atlas of the World'' is a historical atlas that contains 108 color maps showing religious boundaries, countries, cities, buildings army movements and expeditions. It contains an index to place, peoples, historical and military eve ...
'', while others are more specialised, for only one time period or location, such as the ''
Historical Atlas of the American West
''Historical Atlas of the American West'' is a historical atlas and a standard reference work depicting the history and geography of the seventeen states comprising the American West. Written by Warren A. Beck and Ynez D. Haase, the atlas was pub ...
'' or ''
The Historical Atlas of China''. They may also include historical photographs and explanatory text or essays.
The first known historical atlas may have been the ''Parergon'' by
Abraham Ortelius
Abraham Ortelius (; also Ortels, Orthellius, Wortels; 4 or 14 April 152728 June 1598) was a Brabantian cartographer, geographer, and cosmographer, conventionally recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, the ''Theatrum Orbis Terraru ...
in 1579, which was a supplement to the
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum
''Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'' (, "Theatre of the Orb of the World") is considered to be the first true modern atlas. Written by Abraham Ortelius, strongly encouraged by Gillis Hooftman and originally printed on 20 May 1570 in Antwerp, it consist ...
.
William R. Shepherd produced a well-known historical atlas in 1911.
See also
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:Historic maps
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Historical geography
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Timeline
References
External links
Individual digitised historical atlases
F. W. Putzgers Historischer Schul-Atlas, Ausgabe von 1905F. W. Putzgers Historischer Schul-Atlas, Ausgabe von 1914Richard Andree: ''Professor G. Droysens Allgemeiner Historischer Handatlas'', 1886R. Lane Poole: ''Historical Atlas of Modern Europe'', 1900Geschichtlicher Atlas von HessenHistorischer Atlas von Sachsen (1815)(ein Angebot der 'Digital South Asia Library')
Joseph E. Schwartzberg, A Historical Atlas of South Asia, second impression.Digitalisierungsprojekt Wilhelmshöher Kriegskarten
Digital only projects
Omniatlas - Interactive Atlas of World HistoryRunning Reality - any day in historyCentennia Historical AtlasSome animated mapsDigital historical maps from the Institut für Europäische Geschichte, Mainz, Germany
Other
Maps and History. Constructing Images of the Past
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