This CD-ROM contains digital images of ten historical world maps dating from the 13th to the late 20th centuries, drawn from the collections of the British Library. This unique program explores how our image of the world has changed from the medieval period to the present...from Ptolemy’s geographical theories to today’s satellite views...through ten key maps from c.1250, 1482, c.1490, 1530, 1550, 1668, 1787, 1822, 1886, and 1994. Following the progression of these maps, we observe the changing concept of the world: not only geographically but conceptually, from the earliest map, where the center of the world is located in Jerusalem, to our own day; from the imaginary mythological and religious symbols of the Middle Ages to the imaginary grids and grid-lines of today. Each map is shown in full and in close-up detail, with information about its date, origin, and size. For each map there is audio commentary as well as the ability to read the text of the commentary on screen. The images and the text can also be printed or saved to disk.

Minimum system requirements:

Windows: 486/25 with 4 MB RAM; double-speed CD-ROM drive; a video board that can display 256 colors at 640x480; Windows 3.1 or higher.

Macintosh: LC III; color monitor that can display 256 colors at 640x480; 4 MB RAM; System 7.0; double-speed CD-ROM drive.