What is it about?

This work explores the early maps of Spain's roads from the 16th century, focusing on their simplicity and historical value. It examines how these maps, despite their naive design, provide valuable insights into the transportation and communication networks of the time. Through analyzing these historical documents, the study sheds light on the development of road mapping and its impact on understanding Spain's past landscapes and routes.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This work is fascinating and relevant as it offers a unique window into Spain's historical geography and infrastructure, revealing the complexities of 16th-century travel and trade routes. By examining these early maps, the study not only contributes to our understanding of historical cartography and its techniques but also enhances our knowledge of the socio-economic factors that shaped Spain's development during this period. It's a significant addition to both historical and geographical research, providing insights that bridge past and present, and offering a foundation for future studies in historical networks and mapping practices.

Perspectives

In our opinion, this work opens an intriguing perspective on historical geography and cartography, highlighting the significance of early map-making practices and their contribution to our understanding of historical landscapes. It underscores the importance of such maps in tracing the evolution of societal structures, economies, and cultures. This research not only enriches our historical knowledge but also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, inviting further exploration into how these ancient routes influenced modern transportation networks and urban planning. It sets a precedent for future studies, blending history with technology to uncover the past's enduring impact on the present.

Federico Pablo-Martí
Universidad de Alcala de Henares

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: The naïve map of the sixteenth century roads in Spain, Journal of Maps, July 2023, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2023.2232360.
You can read the full text:

Read

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page