The world as known to Christian Europe in 1492, compiled with special reference to Behaim's Globe
1908
About this artwork
A historical cartographic map showing the extent of geographical knowledge of the world as understood by Christian Europe in 1492, reconstructed for a 1908 publication.
Did you know?
This map was created by the cartographer E.G. Ravenstein to illustrate the world as it appeared on Martin Behaim's famous 1492 terrestrial globe, the Erdapfel. It serves as a visual bridge between the medieval worldview and the dawn of the Age of Discovery, illustrating how limited European knowledge of geography was just before the Americas were widely recognized in Europe. The inclusion of 'Zipangu' (Japan) and the absence of the American continent highlight the profound shift in perspective that occurred shortly after this map's reference point.
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The world as known to Christian Europe in 1492, compiled with special reference to Behaim's Globe
E.G. Ravenstein, 1908
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