Cartographia

"Cartographia: Mapping Civilizations" by Vincent Virga, presents a collection of maps from the Library of Congress, dating from ancient Babylonia to 21st-century Europe 【1】. The book showcases 200 significant maps, illustrating the evolution of our understanding of the world and the stories behind nations, politics, and ambitions 【2】【3】.

Potential themes and topics for connecting "Cartographia" to other books:

*   **History of Cartography:** Explore the development of map-making techniques and the changing representation of the world across different periods.
*   **Historical Atlases and Gazetteers:** Compare and contrast different maps and geographical dictionaries to understand regional changes and historical contexts.
*   **Maps and Power:** Examine how maps have been used to assert political control, define territories, and shape national identities.
*   **Exploration and Discovery:** Connect maps to accounts of voyages, expeditions, and the discovery of new lands.
*   **Cultural Geography:** Investigate how maps reflect cultural values, beliefs, and perceptions of the environment.
*   **Urbanization:** Maps showing the growth and development of cities. 【4】
*   **Thematic Mapping:** Explore maps focused on specific themes like climate, vegetation, or economic activity 【5】.
*   **Visual History:** Consider the use of maps as visual documents that provide insights into the past. 【4】
*   **Library of Congress Collections:** Explore other books and resources related to the Library of Congress's map collections. 【1】