WRITE a blog post in which you first COMPARE the maps on pg. 377 and 379. How does the map on 377 reflect European knowledge, bias, and interests? Then THINK AND WRITE about what a Chinese map from the 16th century might look like. How about one drawn by Ottoman cartographers? (Using the other maps in ch. 13 may help in thinking about these questions.)

The map on 377 shows that Europeans had more knowledge of the world and were interested in expanding. They also wanted to learn about other countries so they could trade and exchange with each other. The map is also political, meaning that they are only interested in expanding their land and regions. The map on 379 shows only the political features of the Islamic world. There were only four large states that were the Songhay, Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. According to the map, they didn't really care about expanding as much as the Europeans. All but one of the four states are connected, which could mean that the Songhay Empire did not agree with the other three Empires about something significant. For the Chinese map, I think it would show most of Asia and China. It would probably be physical, but showing the water routes of their expeditions. I think this because they were interested in traveling too, but by water. I think a map that is drawn by the Ottoman cartographers would be of the countries around Europe and part of Europe. It would also be political with not many physical features.