1. Maps:
* Limited Accuracy: Maps were still relatively crude. While some major landmasses were accurately depicted, their shapes, sizes, and the locations of smaller features were often wildly inaccurate.
* Focus on Exploration: Maps primarily served explorers, navigators, and military strategists. They emphasized trade routes, coasts, and potential new territories.
* Emphasis on the Known World: The Americas were still being explored and mapped, and large swathes of the globe were still uncharted.
* Limited Information: Maps usually depicted only major cities, rivers, and mountain ranges. They lacked the detailed information we take for granted today, like elevation, vegetation, or population density.
2. Knowledge:
* Based on Exploration: Geographical knowledge was largely based on the accounts of explorers and travelers.
* Religious Influence: Many geographical ideas were influenced by religious beliefs, particularly in the case of maps that included biblical locations.
* Limited Understanding of the World: The scientific revolution was still in its infancy. Scientists were starting to develop a more accurate understanding of the Earth's shape and size, but many still clung to ancient theories.
* Focus on Description: Geographers were more interested in describing the features of the world than in analyzing their relationships and processes.
3. Key Figures:
* Ferdinand Magellan: While he died in 1521, his circumnavigation of the globe (1519-1522) was a major breakthrough in geographical understanding.
* Abraham Ortelius: In 1570, he published the first modern atlas, "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum," which standardized mapmaking and contributed to the spread of geographical knowledge.
* Gerardus Mercator: His famous map projection, introduced in 1569, was a significant step in representing the Earth's surface on a flat map.
4. Development:
* The Enlightenment: During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Enlightenment led to a greater emphasis on scientific inquiry and the development of more accurate geographical tools.
* Increased Exploration: Exploration continued, particularly in the Americas and the Pacific Ocean, further expanding geographical knowledge.
In Summary:
Geography in 1682 was a blend of exploration, description, and limited scientific understanding. While the foundation for modern geography was being laid, the discipline was still heavily influenced by religious beliefs and a lack of comprehensive data. The years to come would see a rapid increase in geographical knowledge and the development of more advanced tools and techniques.
