The Korean Map of the World in 1402

KangnidoMap

The Honil Gangni Yeokdae Gukdo Ji Do (“Map of Integrated Lands and Regions of Historical Countries and Capitals.”), often abbreviated as Kangnido, is a world map created in Korea (ca. 1470), produced by Yi Hoe and Kwon Kun.

The Kangnido is one of the oldest surviving world maps from East Asia, along with the (ca. 1398) Chinese Da Ming Hun Yi Tu. It is one of the most important materials for reconstructing the lost 14th-century original by the Chinese.

As a world map, it reflects the geographic knowledge of China during the Mongol Empire when geographical information about Western countries became available via Islamic geographers.

744px-GeneralMapOfDistancesAndHistoricCapitals

The bottom map is a somewhat later version (probably around 1560) of the earlier map reproduced at the top.

Via Wikipedia.

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I design video games for a living, write fiction, political theory and poetry for personal amusement, and train regularly in Western European 16th century swordwork. On frequent occasion I have been known to hunt for and explore abandoned graveyards, train tunnels and other interesting places wherever I may find them, but there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that I am preparing to set off a zombie apocalypse. Nothing that will stand up in court, at least. I use paranthesis with distressing frequency, have a deep passion for history, anthropology and sociological theory, and really, really, really hate mayonnaise. But I wash my hands after the writing. Promise.

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