The earliest and only existing map of the world in China-The Geographical Map of the Great World drawn by Matteo Ricci. The earliest atlas in the world-Ptolemy's geographical guide. For the first time, the world was completely presented on the map-the "World Plan" called "Mercator Projection". It was not Columbus but China who first discovered America. Geographical Map of the Great World is a map of the world drawn by Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit missionary, when he preached in China. After thirty years' printing in Beijing, the block print of Wanli in Ming Dynasty has been lost in China. The Grand Universal Geographic Map collected by Nanjing Museum is a color picture book in the court of the thirty-sixth year of Wanli in Ming Dynasty (1608), and it is the earliest and only existing map of the world in China. Ptolemy (AD 87- 150) was a famous mathematician, astronomer and cartographer. He wrote eight books on cartography, Geographical Guide, which made great contributions to the development of cartography. The attached 27 maps are the earliest atlas in the world. Mercator was a cartographer in16th century. Proficient in astronomy, mathematics and geography. 15 12 was born in Flanders (near Antwerp, Belgium) on March 5th. 1530 ——1532 studied at the University of Leuven. 1552 moved to Duisburg, Germany. As early as 1537, the first map (Palestine) was drawn, followed by a field survey in Flanders, and the magnetic meridian discovered by Columbus was taken as the standard meridian, which was the beginning of mapping. 1540 set up a map workshop in Leuven, printed a map measured in proportion, which attracted wide attention and made a globe. 1568, the famous nautical chart "World Plan" was made, which adopted the isometric projection designed by Mercator, and was called "Mercator Projection", which enabled navigators to sail in a straight line (i.e. isometric route) and completed the world for the first time. Map and Description, written in his later years, is the masterpiece of Atlas, which caused a sensation in the world. On the cover is the image of Atlas, a giant in ancient Greek mythology. Later generations took "Atlas" as a synonym for Atlas, which is still in use today. Mercator is an epoch-making figure in the history of map development. He ended the traditional concept of Ptolemy era and opened up a broad road for the development of modern cartography. 65438+1October 16 An ancient map to be exhibited in Beijing and London at the same time may prove that it was not Columbus who first discovered America, but China. This map was drawn by China navigator at 14 18 and copied at 1763. North America and South America are marked on the map. British media pointed out that this map is making historians think deeply about the world history of15th century.
The Independent reported that this map, drawn at 14 18, will prove that Zheng He, a China navigator, first discovered the American theory. Zheng He's fleet sailed from 1405 to 1435, and Columbus "discovered" the American continent after 7 1 year.
In addition, Zheng He's fleet also reached the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa, 76 years earlier than Bidgama. Zheng He's fleet traveled around the world 100 years earlier than Magellan. Zheng He's fleet also arrived in Australia more than three centuries before Captain james cook.
According to The Independent, this extraordinary revision history of world navigation shows that China people have taken the lead in discovering the true scope of this world, but they have not occupied and colonized these "new lands" like Europeans. On the contrary, China retreated from the outside world to a long-term self-enclosed world.