First Atlas

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum: Courtesy of the Library of Congress

On this date in 1570, the first atlas was published by Abraham Ortelius, a Flemish book collector and engraver. Called Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the World), the groundbreaking work was a collection of 70 maps, all organized logically by continent and/or region.

Ortelius died in 1598, but the atlas continued to be published until 1612, running a total of 31 editions. By 1612, the atlas had grown to include 167 maps.

“Buy an atlas and keep it by the bed—remember you can go anywhere.”
—Joanna Lumley