"Reading Historic Maps: A Practical Guide," created by WHC Research Affiliate Kathy Hart, is an educational resource designed to help students and educators better understand historic maps. Focusing on depictions of navigation and conquest in world maps, the guide explains where to find these maps and how to analyze both common and unique cartographic details. The guide also contains suggested further readings and appendixes of additional maps to view.
By learning to closely read historic maps, readers can deepen their understanding of history and the significance of representing place through time. Download the guide here!
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, L'Hydrographie Françoise (1737), discussed more in the guide, from the Library of Congress.
