| Summer is just around the corner. For sure many | | | | new maps. They see to it that they preserve the |
| people would spend their summer vacation visiting | | | | maps as they are an important part of a place's |
| places and having an adventure. Traveling is a lot | | | | history. Map experts spend their lives learning |
| of fun especially if you are going to a new and | | | | about maps. The knowledge that they get are |
| exciting place. Nothing can beat the exciting feeling | | | | based on hundreds of hours spent on carefully |
| of seeing new things and meeting new people. | | | | examining maps. This is why even a simple |
| But just before you step off your front lawn | | | | damage to a map that might not even be noticed |
| make sure that you double check all your | | | | by a regular reader can prove important to an |
| luggages and make sure to carry a map with you | | | | expert. |
| especially if you are going to a new place. Maps | | | | But map printing is not as easy as you think. The |
| will help you go around the place easily. But did | | | | location of buildings, houses, landmarks and the like |
| you know that early maps were considered | | | | should be exact and clear. Even the color of the |
| religious icons? Yes, early world maps were | | | | map should be appropriate. Woodcut, engraving |
| created for religious purposes. And since they | | | | and lithography are the different techniques used |
| represented the worship of God most maps | | | | in producing maps. Woodcut is a relief printing |
| during the early years were not a useful tool for | | | | process. It is the oldest printing technique known. |
| travel. However, as the world modernizes so are | | | | Early on this technique was used for printing |
| the uses of maps. Today, modern maps show | | | | designs on playing cards and religious prints. |
| the world in ways that allowed a reader to leave | | | | Engraving, on the other hand, is the oldest intaglio |
| home and return. | | | | technique. This has been done to decorate metals |
| Admit it, you have drawn and thrown dozens of | | | | for ages. And lithography uses the repelling |
| maps away in your life - the sketch your friend | | | | properties of grease and water to print from |
| drew in a table napkin to help you find the frat | | | | polished slabs of very fine textured limestone. |
| party; the map you used when you travel to | | | | So the next time you use or come across a map |
| Indonesia or the atlas that you have used in | | | | do not just look at it and throw it away after use. |
| history class in high school. All these helped you | | | | Remember without it you would have never |
| find a location or make a spatial sense of the | | | | found the frat party or have reached the |
| world. | | | | beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia and you would |
| Many museums today have collections of old and | | | | have never found your way home. |