Maps

The European map from the 16^th century shows how much the Europeans had expanded out to the entire world. As seen from the map, mostly North Western Europe is drawn very detailed and accurate. Since most of the venturing and conquering had started from the major countries of Europe, the map also emphasized those parts. Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe are also quite precise, which shows that they had already conquered and explored the place well, and that they were important places of trade and land. Asia is drawn rather off compared to Africa or Europe, yet they are quite detailed and thorough, meaning that they were also most likely essential places of trade as well. America, however, is completely off, and drawn rather insignificantly and blank, given that the Europeans had not yet fully explored the place, nor found anything of much significance but land.

 

A Chinese map from the 16^th century would have looked similar to the one from Europe, only focusing on China and Asia more. As the map from Europe had been drawn, a map from China would also have put itself in the direct middle of the map and depicted it as the largest. In contrast to the map from Europe, countries of Asia would be very detailed and accurate, while Europe is left blank and insignificant, or completely omitted. The map would also emphasize on the main trading ports throughout Asia, which then would show much of Asia and perhaps the Middle East as well.