Arab Cartographers explores the groundbreaking contributions of Middle Eastern scholars to cartography, navigation, and global trade during the medieval period.
Challenging Eurocentric views, the book reveals how these Arab mapmakers not only preserved ancient geographical knowledge but also revolutionized it.
They developed advanced techniques, like improved map projections and the use of astronomical observations for precise positioning, significantly impacting exploration and commerce.
These advancements facilitated the expansion of trade routes across continents and fostered cultural exchange, demonstrating the intellectual ingenuity of the Arab world.
The book examines the evolution of cartographic techniques, the advancement of navigational science, and the facilitation of global trade through accurate maps.
Beginning with the Golden Age of Islam, a period of translation and preservation of classical texts, the book illustrates how Arab scholars built upon this foundation, incorporating indigenous knowledge.
Key figures, such as al-Idrisi and Ibn Battuta, are analyzed, highlighting their impact on shaping our understanding of the world.
The book progresses across chapters by first introducing foundational concepts, then delving into specific advancements, and finally exploring the practical applications and implications of these advancements.
By combining scholarly rigor with accessible prose, Arab Cartographers appeals to both academic and general audiences interested in history, earth sciences, and geography.
It utilizes original Arabic manuscripts, historical accounts, and analyses of surviving maps to provide a comprehensive look at the Arab world's influence on mapmaking and its lasting impact on global history.
