Animated GIF Showing Historical Maps of the Known World from 2348 B.C. to 1828 A.D.

This animated GIF shows a progression of 21 maps that depict the “known world” from 2348 B.C. to 1828 A.D. Slate created the GIF based on an 1830 atlas, Historical Atlas in a Series of Maps of the World as Known at Different Periods, with an Historical Narrative by Edward Quin. The atlas is part of the David Rumsey Map Collection.

GIF via Slate, photo via David Rumsey Map Collection