Who created the first map of the world?
It is an interesting question, and there are many possible answers.
Historically speaking, many cartologists would argue that it was the Grecian world, when back in the 6th Century Anaximander, a respected academician in Philosophy and Geology who, through careful charting of equations, drew the world as he saw is – cylindrical.
Then there was the Greco-Roman world. Eratosthenes. Claudius Ptolemaeus, also referred to as Ptolmey. He, a celebrated astronomer, mathematician, and geographer back in the end Century, saw the spherically.
And then of course, there was Eratosthenes. He, a Greek geographer, astronomer, and mathematician, who applied his unique skillsets to create a system for looking at the world with greater accuracy. His measurement of the circumference of the world and establishment of longitude and latitude were critical in how we all see the world today.
But then there was of the Arab world. Building on knowledge of the history of conquests from across the world, Al-Idrisi, Arab Muslim geographer, scholar and importantly traveller, created a view of the world as he saw it – a vast collection of rich geographic and geological detail that revealed to us all a more scientific view of the world.
Many different possible creators.
Many different views of the world.
And yet they, as contributors to our view of the world, all possessed similar traits:
A firm belief in all of the possibility that can be unlocked when we understand not just what is known in the world, but yet to be discovered.
A courage to apply their thinking to create a world that makes the future stronger, better, wiser, and more fulfilling.
A respect for detail and difference across the world, and yet a belief that all are still connected.
A genuine desire to give to others a richer world.
Each made a remarkable contribution to honour shared world has expanded and evolved. Each left a legacy for generations to come. Each is to be thanked, however long ago they gave of their gifts to give us greater insight and appreciation of what is now ours to explore.
But then one can ask the question a different way: who created the first map of your world?
In a second we all know for ourselves the answer, the person who, first and foremost, shaped our world.
We all know that one person who gave us greater understanding all of the possibility that can be unlocked when we understand not just what is known in the world, but yet to be discovered. We can easily identify who showed the courage to apply their thinking to create a world that makes the future stronger, better, wiser, and more fulfilling for us all. They are the ones who, uniquely, demonstrated respect for detail and difference across the world, and yet a belief that all are still connected. And through all of their greatness, through all of their personal ambitions, they had a genuine desire to give to others a richer world.
You know. I know. And it is important they know.
Rani Raad,
for the world you created for me and literally millions of others through your shaping of a more truly connected, curious, and compassionate world,
for the view of the world you inspired in all of our minds,
for the compass you have been in our hearts,
and for the legacy you leave,
we thank you, we salute you, and we love you.
Safe travels. x
Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2023