Why North is Up: Map Conventions and Where They Came From

Description

Many people have a love of maps. But what lies behind the process of map-making? How have cartographers through the centuries developed their craft and established a language of maps which helps them to better represent our world and help users to understand it? This book tells the story of how widely accepted mapping conventions originated and evolved-from map orientation, projections, typography, and scale, to the use of color, symbols, ways of representing relief, and the treatment of boundaries and place names. It charts the fascinating story of how conventions have changed in response to new technologies and ever-changing mapping requirements, how symbols can be a matter of life or death, why universal acceptance of conventions can be difficult to achieve, and how new mapping conventions are developing to meet the needs of modern cartography. Why North is Up offers an accessible and enlightening guide to the sometimes hidden techniques of map-making through the centuries.

Mick Ashworth is Director of Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd and Consultant Editor to 'The Times Atlas of the World'. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

'Elegantly written and beautifully illustrated, Why North is Up tells you everything you need to know about the signs, symbols and science behind map-making. It will also reveal a few things you didn't know about maps. Essential reading for any map lover.' -- Jerry Brotton 'In this handsome and informative book, Mick Ashworth picks through the conventions that have shaped cartography thus far, in a lively narrative augmented by lavish illustrations of the maps in question. For map addicts and casual bystanders alike, this is a terrific work that both entertains and enlightens.' -- Mike Parker 'The book is ideal for the satnav generation, showing how cartographic language has evolved from Ptolemy's Geographia to crowd-sourced online OpenStreetMap. But this is far from just an introduction for newcomers; most readers are sure to discover something new here...the book is copiously illustrated with relevant map extracts, faithfully reproduced; many are from the Bodleian Library, other from a variety of other sources.' * Sheetlines * 'Ashworth presents an entertaining foray into the history, structure and evolution of maps and mapmaking. His conversational style makes learning about the intricacies of mapmaking, specifically the importance of legends, grids and symbols, fun.' * The Globe * 'For anyone with an interest in maps it should be essential reading. ... I would expect this book to be popular - it certainly deserves to be.' * The Bulletin of the Society of Cartographers * 'Ashworth provides an eminently readable introduction that is beautifully illustrated with a wide selection of carefully reproduced maps. Both a beautiful book to own and to give, this is a must-have for anyone with an interest in maps.' * NHBS *