Egypt: Map of the world (south to the top), said to be the oldest rectangular map of the world, Kitab Ghara'ib al-funun wa-mulah al-'uyun ('The Book of Curiosities of the Sciences and Marvels for the Eyes'), 12th-13th Centuries

Composed in Egypt in the first half of the 11th century, the 'Book of Curiosities' is a 12th/13th century cosmographical manuscript contains highly unique celestial and terrestrial maps, including the first known rectangular map of the world produced before the renaissance.

The geographical references are based largely on the first century work of Ptolemy but the manuscript contains previously unknown distinct cartographic features.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History