Medieval Europe History of geography

fictional portrait of marco polo.

during middle ages, geographical knowledge in europe regressed (though popular misconception thought world flat), , simple t , o map became standard depiction of world.

the trips of venetian explorer marco polo throughout mongol empire in 13th century, christian crusades of 12th , 13th centuries, , portuguese , spanish voyages of exploration during 15th , 16th centuries opened new horizons , stimulated geographic writings. mongols had wide-ranging knowledge of geography of europe , asia, based in governance , ruling of of area , used information undertaking of large military expeditions. evidence found in historical resources such secret history of mongols , other persian chronicles written in 13th , 14th centuries. example, during rule of great yuan dynasty world map created , kept in south korea. see also: maps of yuan dynasty

during 15th century, henry navigator of portugal supported explorations of african coast , became leader in promotion of geographic studies. among notable accounts of voyages , discoveries published during 16th century giambattista ramusio in venice, richard hakluyt in england, , theodore de bry in belgium.