Maps

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

One of the first maps of the New World, this map made by Johannes Ruysch using a polar projection. It includes an extensive view of South America, islands of the West Indies, and a portion of North America. This map appeared in some copies of the 1507 Rome edition of Ptolemy's Geography. Ruysch's map illustrates a number of significant geographic features, particularly along the easterly sea route to Asia, which was of prime importance to early 16th-century Europeans.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Social Studies, Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S K

Starting in 1607, Captain John Smith set about exploring and describing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. This map, published in 1612, would become the primary cartographic resource on the region for nearly seven decades. 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This unique map of the North Pole is loaded with information about international Arctic exploration.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Printed in National Geographic magazine in May 1918, shortly before the end of World War I, this map shows the western theatre of war in France and Belgium. 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This map depicts Europe as established by the 1919 Peace Conference of Paris and the Treaty of Versailles. This map depicts new political borders, borders as they existed before World War I, international territories, and territories subject to plebiscite (referendum or vote).

Best For
Grades 4-12+ (Ages 9+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This classic world map shows the world's political boundaries following World War I. The map also shows airplane routes and railroad routes that had been established at the time.

Best For
Grades 4-12+ (Ages 9+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This classic world map shows the world's eastern and western hemispheres separately to give the viewer a true sense of area across the continents.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

An exceptional historical piece, this map was published in February 1942 with an article entitled "Facts about the Philippines." The map features time zones, ship routes, and naval bases.

Best For
Grades 4-12+ (Ages 9+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

National Geographic published this classic world map in December 1943, in the midst of World War II.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This historical map of the United States published in June 1953 accompanied six articles on U.S. history, including "Founders of New England." This map of the continental United States features a wealth of historical information, subtle relief shading, and details such as explorers' routes and immigrant trails.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This map of medieval England contains a wealth of historical information and sites as well as beautiful illustrations. 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Social Studies, Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Explore the growth of the United States from the 13 original colonies to its present range with "Territorial Growth of the United States." Featuring eight individual insets higlighting historical periods, it also contains an antique map of the the country in 1783. Published in September 1987, this map is half of a two-map set, appearing with the map of the United States.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Comprised of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, the Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. Published in July 1987 as part of the "Making of America" series, this map of the Great Lakes contains a vast amount of historical information about the region, as well as tourist attractions. 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Half of a two-page layout on the Holy Land, this educational supplement teems with details of the history of the land held sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. An extraordinary illustration of Jerusalem notes important sites and the "Crossroads of Empires" inset reveals the history of the region's occupation.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Half of a two-map set, this historical map of Italy appeared in the February 1995 issue of National Geographic Magazine with a stunning physical and political map of the country and an article on Venice. Filled with historical information and illustrations, this map boasts 11 inset maps detailing key periods in the region's history.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This historic map of Africa takes you back to 1909, a time when the continent was barely known in the Western world. The only way to get to places like Abyssinia (Ethiopia), the Congo Free State (Democratic Republic of Congo), and Bechuanaland Protectorate (Botswana) was to take a long sea voyage, then travel many kilometers by rail. National Geographic was among the first to bring this amazing land to the world, and this incredible map provides a time capsule into these early days of African exploration.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

In October 1922, National Geographic devoted an entire issue to the continent of Africa which included this beautifully crafted map. Discover Africa in the early 20th century when transportation on the continent was in its infancy and many rivers were yet unexplored.

Best For
Grades 5-12+ (Ages 10+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Africa underwent tremendous change in the early parts of the 20th eentury. Access to air travel and motor vehicles led to increased travel, increased development, and modernization. This beautiful map, produced by the National Geographic cartographic section in June 1935, tells the story of a continent amidst the old and new.

Best For
Grades 7-12+ (Ages 12+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Half of a two-map set published in December 1971, this map accompanies the "Ethnolinguistic Map of the Peoples of Africa." It features a physical map of the continent and an abundance of historical notes.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Loaded with information about Antarctica—including expeditions, stations, wildlife, climate, and more—this map also contains inset maps showing the subglacial continent and various countries' claims on the region.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This informative map was published in July 1944 with an article entitled "Landing Craft for Invasion." (D-Day was just a month earlier.) This work shows the international boundaries as of September 1, 1939, the day Germany invaded Poland, as well as boundaries as of January 1, 1938, before Germany seized Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This ambitious map of Asia was printed in December 1933 with the National Geographic article "Afghanistan Makes Haste Slowly." 

Best For
Grades 4-11 (Ages 9-17)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Battles were raging in Asia, Europe, and Africa at the time of this map's publication. International boundaries on this map are as of September 1, 1939—the day Germany invaded Poland.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This beautifully rendered map of Europe was published in National Geographic in July 1915, one year into the First World War. It is a historical snapshot of a region in turmoil.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Published in July 1942 with the article "Western Front Map Embraces Three Continents," this extraordinary work features historical information and colorful relief shading.

Best For
Grades 7-12+ (Ages 12+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Shakespeare's Britain is based on John Speed's map, "The Kingdome of Great Britaine and Ireland," from his 1611 atlas, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. The supplement to National Geographic magazine was first published in May 1965.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Published in April 1946—just a year before India and Pakistan gained their independence—this map of India and Burma details the numerous provinces of the region. Half of a two-map set, it accompanied the "Political Subdivisions of India" map.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This antique map was created by Joseph-Nicolas De Lapos in 1752 and shows the supposed discoveries of Spanish explorer Bartholomew de la Fuente and the tracks of Spanish, English, and Russian navigators. These mythical "discoveries" included a Northwest Passage.

Best For
Grades 7-12+ (Ages 12+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Learn all about the ancient Celts with this educational map published in May 1977. Accompanying the article "The Celts" and the map of modern Europe, this informative supplement is filled with details about Celtic civilization, its range through the ages, and locations of historical sites.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This map of the Balkan states and Central Europe features vibrant color and steamship routes. Published in August 1914, it captured Central Europe as it stood at the start of the First World War.