Ptolemy's world map, originally described in the year 150, was one of the first to show longitude and latitude. It placed the meridian, or longitudinal center, in the then-unidentified "Fortunate ...

A hiker and outdoorsman, Mr. Thomas as a child yearned for a world where nature ruled supreme. His map represents the “idealistic planet that I wanted,” Mr. Thomas, 34, said.

A 1602 world map created by the Italian-born Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci, which places China at its center, is on display at the Library of Congress. Skip to content Skip to site index.