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Understanding the world through old maps

The Osher Map Library, at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, is home to half a million rare maps, globes and atlases, dating as far back as the 15th century. Correspondent Martha Teichner explores the world as depicted by cartographers, through maps that are whimsical, political, or inten

Published May 17, 2026, 2:26 PM
Updated May 22, 2026, 1:31 PM3.0K
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Understanding the world through old maps

The Osher Map Library, at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, is home to half a million rare maps, globes and atlases, dating as far back as the 15th century. Correspondent Martha Teichner explores the world as depicted by cartographers, through maps that are whimsical, political, or intentionally distorted, and examines why – in an age of GPS – maps are definitely not outdated.

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