|
The Concept, The
Process, The Problems, The
Author
The essential concept of these historical maps is to show detail
in time instead of detail of information. We show the entire world
at the beginning of every year. Every map is consistent with every
other map in terms of the information displayed, colors used,
and detail shown. We believe that our maps are unique in two important
respects. First we have a complete historical map of the world
for each year. We have not been able to find anything like this
in any historical atlases or anywhere on the internet. Secondly
we show all countries instead of just the major ones or generic
groups of countries.
We have chosen the Country as the basic unit of display. The
term "Country" is somewhat vague but useful for this
purpose. As used in these maps, a Country is a politically organized
geographical area that is not subordinate to another Country.
Each Country is shown in a distinctive color that is consistent
between maps. Since we have sacrificed detail of information in
favor of detail in time, we do not show any information within
Countries. We also do not show extremely small countries or independent
cities unless they were particularly important. There is simply
not enough room on a world map for this level of detail.
All maps compromise between shape and area, and historical
maps introduce the additional variable of time. Most attempt to
show what happened in a given area over a period of time. In historical
atlases, these time periods can be quite long. There are also
historical maps, or entire atlases, which concentrate on a specific
area. Even here, however, details from different times are still
usually shown on the same map. The other type of historical map
shows the state of an area at a given point in time, usually a
significant year. However given the limitations of space in atlases,
there are many years, sometimes centuries, between maps.
The Concept, The
Process, The Problems, The
Author
The first step creating these maps was doing the research. A wide
variety of historical atlases and general sources were consulted
(see sources). Conflicting information
had to be resolved and further research had to be done to find
missing information. Though this was perhaps the hardest part,
it was also the most interesting. Once a sufficient amount of
data had been collected for a given area we digitized the data
and created a geographic information system (GIS). All maps were
generated directly from the GIS using custom programs written
in Visual Basic.
The Concept, The Process, The Problems, The
Author
There were several problems that arose while creating the historical
maps and major decisions had to be made. They are: Availability
of Data, Degrees of Control, Fluctuations during Wars, Strength
of Borders
The first problem is the availability of data. Not all areas
of the world recorded their history very well,or if they did it
may be lost, or if not lost it may not available to the average
researcher. Our maps are limited to showing the recorded history
that has survived and is readily available. We only show countries
where we can find information. For example, the changes in the
northeastern border of France in the 1600's have been well researched
and documented and are the subject of numerous detailed maps.
The changes in the northeastern border of Iran in the same period
were equally if not more complex but the sources for such a level
of detail are beyond the reach of the average researcher. There
is a lot of detail available for North America, Europe, and China,
much less for Africa and Central Asia. However it is not necessary
to show all of the detail that is available. If the border of
France shifts by 30 miles it is barely noticeable on the map of
the world. We had to keep in mind that we are showing detail in
time, not detail of information.
The second problem is how to show the shifting borders that
exist during wars as armies march back and forth and territory
changes hands rapidly. We have chosen not to attempt to show this
at all. While the situation during recent wars is known day by
day, for most of the past wars there simply is no data. We show
the borders as they were agreed to or where they were stable for
at least a few years. If the conquest of an area by a country
occurred gradually over several years, we show it happening at
the end point.
The third problem is how to show the strength of borders. In
this age of satellite photographs and global positioning systems
we know exactly where all the borders are and in most cases they
are strictly controlled. However in the past, borders were often
ill defined, in dispute, or in many cases one country simply faded
gradually into another (without any defined border). This last
case is particularly true where agricultural societies bounded
nomadic or hunting peoples, or the uninhabited desert. Among the
nomadic countries themselves the borders were also not defined.
People living in border areas were usually under some influence
from both sides. Nevertheless when drawing a map it becomes necessary
to put a border somewhere. For the sake of appearance and consistency
we decided to give all countries borders.
The fourth and final problem is how to show the degree of control
within a country by the highest authority in the country, or when
an area qualifes to be shown as a separate country. This was perhaps
the most difficult problem to be dealt with and the one that raised
the most questions. The answers are not simple and can generate
controversy. Over the course of history almost every conceivable
variation of direct or indirect control has been tried. Where
countries or parts of countries have been in a subordinate relationship
with another country it is often difficult to tell exactly what
the relationship was. In general countries are shown with separate
borders and colors when they are recognized as being independant
by their peer countries. Areas within countries which were autonomous
and acted independantly, but were not recognized as independant
either by themselves or the world at large, are shown in the same
color as the higher level country but with a separate border.
Areas which were independant in name but in reality controlled
by another country are shown as separate countries. The various
gradation of direct to indirect control, as well as vassal or
tributary relationships, are not shown at all. Areas within a
country which were in revolt are not shown until the date when
their independance was achieved.
Fortunately these problems are not serious for maps that show
the entire world. On a 640 x 480 screen, each pixel is no less
than 57 miles wide. At this scale, pinpoint accuracy simply does
not show up and is not necessary.
The Concept, The
Process, The Problems, The Author
The principal author of these historical maps is John C. Nelson.
John received his BA Degree in History at the University of Minnesota,
Morris in 1964. He worked at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
as a Computer Programmer for 25 years before retiring in 1997.
Along the way he received an additional MA in History from St
Cloud State University and an MSTM in Computer Systems from American
University. After retirement John founded JS Consulting, Inc.
to pursue further computer system and web site development projects.
The germ of this idea dates back to 1971, and an article by
Sen Dou-Chang in the Annals of the Association of American Geographers.
It has taken many years for the technology to evolve where it
is possible to not only create these maps but distribute them
as well.
|