Maps That Made America: Ptolemaic world map and the Map of the world

The video explores the historical context of Christopher Columbus's voyages, focusing on the maps of the time, particularly those by Henricus Martellus. These maps, despite their inaccuracies, influenced Columbus's decision to sail west, leading to the discovery of the Caribbean. The video also discusses the evolving understanding of the world, highlighting the confusion about the New World and the role of maps in shaping perceptions. Finally, it touches on the modern use of GIS technology, which organizes information spatially, contrasting with traditional topographical maps.

What was Christopher Columbus's primary goal when he set sail westward?

• To discover the Americas

• To find a quicker route to the Orient

• To map the Western Hemisphere

• To prove the Earth is round

Which mapmaker's work influenced Columbus's decision to sail west?

• Henricus Martellus

• Amerigo Vespucci

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Marco Polo

What was the significance of the mysterious map mentioned in the second section?

• It accurately depicted the Americas

• It showed the world as flat

• It suggested a new hemisphere

• It was the first map to include Australia

What does the mysterious map speculate about the Gulf of Mexico?

• It connects directly to Asia

• It is part of the Pacific Ocean

• It is an enclosed body of water

• It is a mythological location

What is a key feature of modern maps as discussed in the final section?

• They are only used for navigation

• They are primarily decorative

• They focus on topography

• They map invisible information