Europe in 50 historical maps: 150AD-2018

In classical Greek mythology, Europe (Europa) is the name of either a queen of Crete or Phoenician princess. It means “wide-gazing” or “broad of aspect”. Europe was already described by classical Greek scholars; e.g. Ptolemy in his Geographia (150AD). The accompanying maps were worked out again by European cartographers at the end of the 15th century. It is also depicted on the T-O based Mappa Mundi of the middle ages, being one of the 3 then known ‘old’ continents (besides Asia and Africa). The first (printed) separate maps of Europe appeared in the early 16th century. Numerous maps made by famous cartographers would follow: e.g. Gastaldi (Italy), Mercator (Belgium), Speed (England), Sanson (France), Blaeu (Netherlands) and Homann (Germany).