It’s no stretch to say that maps are a sublime language, able to speak across time and distance with an elegant blend of data and art. Yes, having a legend is crucial to total understanding of a map, but one can certainly figure out the basics of a good map with just a short period of observation.


(Map from Strangemaps)

It’s the site Strangemaps that has helped to keep firing my interest in maps. For a long time I’ve used the map as a quick way to express information to the ‘uneducated.’ Often, it’s a good way to use an analogy to explain the unknown. Thus ever the nature of maps, I understand. But in looking at the different maps that have been made over centuries, I see that there are myriad ways to express information that I haven’t yet considered - a reminder that I need to keep my eyes and mind open, to keep looking for ways to modify the charts that make up my methodologies.