Not just a desert kingdom. The Omani Empire once ruled a maritime network from Arabia to Africa. It's a forgotten oceanic power.

The Roman Empire wasn't just legions and emperors. It was also buerocracy. Provinces, governors and administration held it together for centuries.

I'm playing around with topography. I want everything on my maps to be vectors. Since this data doesn't exist, I have to make my own. Still a work in progress.

I consider my maps to be artistic and simplified representations. A single snapshot of a place and time. It can never have the nuance and complexities of the real world, history and different opinions. This becomes most apparent, whenever I make maps about modern borders.

US president James K. Polk almost doubled the size of the US. In one term. Finalized the annexation of Texas in 1845 Signed the Oregon Treaty 1846 Pushed for the Mexican-American war, resulting the Mexican cession in 1848

The Caribbean island nations are the reason why I can't remember all the countries.

My 27th attempt at vector topography. I'm slowly getting closer to the visuals that I want.

The world's oldest republic, San Marino was founded on 3 September 301 CE. Over a hundred years before the Goths even reached Italy. It was governing itself independent from the Roman Empire and nobody really bothered to subdue it. Formally recognized by the Papacy in 1631.

The trade between Asia and Europe has been the beating heart of the global economy for multiple millennia. On the web of roads silk, porcelain and paper moved west, while glass, silver and horses moved east. Many of the old trading points are vital urban centres today.

By 1910 Africa was almost completely split between European powers. Only small independent pockets remained. Only four years later WWI broke out.

I just found a little bit of Florida in the middle of Californian farmlands. The rivers lead to the San Francisco bay.

The early colonies of Australia. 1851 was the year when Victoria separated from New South Wales. Later, it would be split even further into Queensland, Northern Territories and a part given to South Australia.

Who benefits from the Arctic sea routes? The real winners are Europe and Asia. Shanghai to Rotterdam: Via Suez: ~21k km / 30-35 days Via Arctic: ~15k km / 18-22 days