Here Be Dragons: The Facts and Fictions of Mapmakers
A common myth is that ‘Hic Sunt Dracones’ (here be dragons) was used frequently on maps throughout history.
Population Geography of the United States
The United States represents a vast area of land with 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million square kilometers) in size. A recent release of population figures … Read more
![[Map of California shown as an island], Joan Vinckeboon, ca. 1650.](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAwIDcxNCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNzE0IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3Lmdlb2dyYXBoeXJlYWxtLmNvbSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMSUyRjA4JTJGbWFwLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEtaXNsYW5kLTE2NTAtVmluY2tlYm9vbnMuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEwMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNzE0IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
California as an Island
Well into the 17th and 18th centuries, cartographers created maps of the region showing California separated from the mainland by a strait.
Survey Markers and Benchmarks
Benchmarks are a type of survey markers whose elevations have been surveyed as accurately as possible based on the technology at the time.
Robinson Map Projection
The Robinson map projection is a compromise project that minimizes distortion across the map.