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Kun yu wan guo quan tu - Public domain vintage map

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Kun yu wan guo quan tu - Public domain vintage map

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Summary

Relief shown pictorially.
Title from Web page (viewed on April 20, 2010).
Sheets individually numbered, e.g. Si fu.
Available also through the Library of Congress web site as a raster image.
Online version of the map on an exhibition at the Library of Congress that opened from Jan. 12 to April 17, 2010. The main map shows an oval shaped world map, includes insets of astronomical and seasonal maps. On top right is "Seventh Heaven" chart; on bottom right is "Armillary sphere"; on top left is a map of "Northern Hemisphere", "Solar and Lunar Eclipse" chart; and on bottom left is a map of "Southern Hemisphere", map of "Chinese 24 seasonal segments calendar" and "Quantity-day ruler". Accompanied with explaining text for the map and insets. The map covers five continents and four Oceans, Europe (Ou Luo Ba), Africa (Li Wei Ya), South and North America (Nan Bei Ya Mou Li Jia), Asia (Ya Xi Ya), and Antarctica (Mo Wa La Ni Jia); Atlantic (Da Xi Yang), Pacific Ocean (Da Dong Yang), Indian Ocean (Xiao Xi Yang), and Arctic Ocean (Bing Hai).
Electronic reproduction. Washington, D.C. : Geography & Maps Division, Library of Congress, 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web. Reproduction made from a copy owned by: James Ford Bell Foundation.
Exhibited: Rare 1602 World Map, the First Map in Chinese to Show the Americas, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., Jan. 12 to April 17, 2010.
"每一度廣二百五十里".
主图为椭圆形的世界地图, 并附有小幅的天文图和地理图:右上角有九重天图, 右下角有天地仪图, 左上角有赤道北地半球之图和日蚀图, 月蚀图, 左下角有 赤道南地半球之图和中气图, 另有量天尺附于主图(第四幅)的左下方。此图展现出五大洲和四大洋, 欧邏巴 (欧洲), 利未亞(非洲), 南北亞墨利加(南北美洲),亞洲(亞細亞),墨瓦腊泥加(南极洲),大西洋, 大东洋 (太平洋),小西洋(印度洋),冰海(北冰洋).

In the 17th century, maps took a huge leap forward. Mathematical and astronomical knowledge necessary to make accurate measurements had evolved. English mathematicians had perfected triangulation: navigation and surveying by right-angled triangles. Triangulation allowed navigators to set accurate courses and produced accurate land surveys. Seamen learned to correct their compasses for declination and had determined the existence of annual compass variation. Latitude determination was greatly improved with the John Davis quadrant. The measurement of distance sailed at sea was improved by another English invention, the common log. Longitudinal distance between Europe and Québec was determined by solar and lunar eclipses by the Jesuit Bressani in the 1640s and by Jean Deshayes in 1686. With accurate surveys in Europe, the grid of the modern map began to take shape.

Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) was an Italian Jesuit priest and missionary who played a crucial role in cultural exchange between China and the West during the late Ming dynasty. Known for bridging the gap between Chinese and Western cultures, he focused on science, mathematics and theology. Born in Macerata, Italy, Ricci joined the Jesuits in 1571 and excelled in his studies. Arriving in China in 1583, he settled in Macau and quickly adapted to local customs. His conciliatory approach was well received by the Chinese elite. Ricci integrated Western science with Chinese beliefs, introducing instruments and knowledge of astronomy, mathematics and geography. He also taught the Memory Palace technique to aid memorisation. He wrote influential works using Confucian terms to explain Christian concepts. Despite the challenges faced by Catholic missions in China, Ricci's legacy endures as a symbol of early East-West dialogue. His contributions to cross-cultural understanding continue to be commemorated.

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Date

01/01/1602
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Contributors

Ricci, Matteo, 1552-1610.
Library of Congress. National Digital Library Program.
Library of Congress. Geography and Map Division.
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Source

Library of Congress
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Public Domain

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