Ptolemy's Geography

Ptolemy's Geography revolutionized cartography in the second century AD, surviving as the sole classical text on the subject. For over fifteen centuries, it served as the most comprehensive topography of Europe and Asia, guiding map-making through astronomical observation and mathematical application. Ptolemy's innovative approach included the systematic recording of latitude and longitude coordinates for geographical features, enabling others to replicate his maps accurately, regardless of scale. This work laid the foundation for modern cartographic practices.