You can tell this by the shape of the lines of longitude and latitude in addition to the continuity of the continents at the corners of the maps. Maps of today are mostly constructed using Arial Photography and Computer Aided design. The creation of GIS or Geographical Information Systems has allowed people like you and me the advantage of creating incredible maps at an affordable price. GIS is a combination of computer map design using layers of map information from a computer database. It is clear that maps have been around for some time now.
Maps can provide a reader with an incredible amount of information.
Think about how much information is provided on a car map. Take a look at the next few pages to see examples of maps as a communication tool. Another reason while maps are so popular is because most people are visual learners. This means that they learn and remember things by seeing them more than they do by hearing about them or reading about them . Maps are used by everyone.