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The Description of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to the Book by Ptolemy

John Grisham

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A Map Of The World By Ptolemy The Description Of The World

The Description of the World, also known as the Geography, is a work of ancient geography by the Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy. It was written in the 2nd century AD and was the most influential work on geography for over a millennium. The Description of the World provides a comprehensive description of the world as known to the Greeks and Romans at the time. It includes information on the size and shape of the Earth, the location of continents and oceans, and the climates and peoples of different regions. The Description of the World was also the first work to use a system of latitude and longitude to map the world.

The Contents of the Description of the World

The Description of the World is divided into eight books. The first book provides a general overview of the world, including its size and shape, the location of the continents and oceans, and the climates and peoples of different regions. The second book describes Europe, including its geography, history, and peoples. The third book describes Asia, including its geography, history, and peoples. The fourth book describes Africa, including its geography, history, and peoples. The fifth book describes the Indian Ocean, including its geography, history, and peoples. The sixth book describes the Arabian Peninsula, including its geography, history, and peoples. The seventh book describes the Persian Gulf, including its geography, history, and peoples. The eighth book describes the Red Sea, including its geography, history, and peoples.

The Description of the World

by Marco Polo

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7804 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	269 pages

The Impact of the Description of the World

The Description of the World had a profound impact on the development of geography. It was the first work to use a system of latitude and longitude to map the world. This system allowed geographers to accurately measure distances and directions, and to create maps that were more accurate than any previous maps. The Description of the World also provided a wealth of information about the different regions of the world. This information was used by geographers, historians, and other scholars to better understand the world around them.

The Description of the World was translated into Latin in the 15th century and became the standard textbook on geography for European scholars. It was used by Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and other explorers to plan their voyages. The Description of the World also influenced the development of cartography. The first printed maps of the world, which were produced in the 16th century, were based on Ptolemy's maps.

The Description of the World is still a valuable resource for geographers and historians today. It provides a unique glimpse into the world as it was known to the Greeks and Romans at the time.

The Description of the World is a landmark work in the history of geography. It was the first work to use a system of latitude and longitude to map the world, and it provided a wealth of information about the different regions of the world. The Description of the World had a profound impact on the development of geography, and it is still a valuable resource for geographers and historians today.

The Description of the World

by Marco Polo

4.4 out of 5