I love maps. They are such versatile and expressive mediums, conveying the wit, interests and persuasions of the map maker as much as they do the places that are charted. Be they informative or in the case below, imaginary, what is included and what is left out of a map conspire to form a very individual document of the real or imagined world. Since map making first began these worlds of imagination and understanding have morphed, as in the early Christian maps depicting foul beasts at the far flung corners of the world. Unchartered territory assumed to be inhabited by terrible, merciless monsters. Or details based on the embellished tales of weary seamen. Furnished from half truths and miscomprehension. The fear of the unknown. Maps also allow the viewer to travel without moving, satisfying the mind's yearning for exploration.Got turned on to this map of holiday hell by Tom Gauld whilst perusing a fantastic map blog run by Frank Jacobs called Strange Maps.
Another recommended read for the fan of imaginary map embellishments is the Atlas Of Remote Islands by Judith Schalansky. A beautifully crafted book that pairs accurate topographical maps of remote islands around the world with fictitious stories relating to these slivers of land. It provides a wonderful synthesis of fact obscured by fiction, geography haunted by flights of fancy and weird creatures stalking extant, impenetrable land masses. David Profumo provides a fitting review of the book here
