14 best historical atlas

A historical atlas is a specialized type of atlas that focuses on mapping and illustrating historical events, periods, and developments. These atlases are valuable resources for students, historians, and anyone interested in understanding the evolution of civilizations and the world over time. Here are some key points about historical atlases:

  1. Content: Historical atlases typically contain a collection of maps, charts, illustrations, and accompanying text that chronicle historical events, empires, civilizations, and geographical changes over centuries or millennia.

  2. Time Periods: Historical atlases can cover a wide range of time periods, from ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome to medieval Europe, the Renaissance, colonial expansion, modern history, and beyond.

  3. Geographical Focus: These atlases often provide maps that focus on specific regions, countries, or continents, depending on the atlas's thematic focus. Some may cover the entire world's history, while others may zoom in on a particular region.

  4. Topics: Historical atlases can cover various historical topics, including political boundaries, wars, trade routes, migrations, cultural developments, and more. They may also include thematic maps that depict aspects such as population growth, technological advancements, and political changes.

  5. Evolution of Borders: One of the essential features of historical atlases is the visualization of how borders and political entities have shifted and transformed over time.This helps readers understand the ebb and flow of empires and nations.

  6. Illustrations and Artifacts: Many historical atlases include illustrations of significant historical figures, artwork, photographs, and artifacts from various periods, enhancing the reader's understanding of the context.

  7. Educational Use: Historical atlases are commonly used in educational settings to teach history and geography. They offer a visual and spatial perspective on historical events and their impact on the world.

  8. Reference Materials: These atlases serve as valuable reference materials for researchers and historians, providing a quick and comprehensive overview of historical developments.

  9. Evolution of Cartography: Historical atlases also showcase the evolution of cartography (mapmaking) techniques throughout history, demonstrating how mapmakers' knowledge and accuracy improved over time.

  10. Modern Digital Versions: In addition to traditional print editions, many historical atlases are now available in digital formats, making it easier for users to access interactive maps and additional multimedia content.

Historical atlases play a crucial role in helping individuals explore and understand the complexities of the past. They provide a visual context for historical narratives, making it easier to grasp the geographic and temporal dimensions of historical events and civilizations.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best historical atlas on the market
  

History of the World Map by Map

DK

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Historical Atlas of Central Europe: Third Revised and Expanded Edition

University of Toronto Press

Based on 12 reviews Check latest price

Atlas of World History

Based on 139 reviews Check latest price

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome (Hist Atlas)

Based on 121 reviews Check latest price

The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Medieval World

Based on 54 reviews Check latest price

The Historical Atlas of the British Isles

Based on 87 reviews Check latest price

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Civilizations

Based on 130 reviews Check latest price

Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World

Based on 125 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Historical Atlas of the World | Grades 5-12+

The Historical Atlas of the World presents important periods and turning points in 5,000 years of world history in over 100 pages of thematic maps.

Atlas features:

  • Updated to include recent world events like the Arab Spring & changes in U.S. relations with Cuba
  • Presents major periods of world history through more than 100 bold, colorful maps
  • Thematic maps include literacy, languages, religions, and more
  • Includes a section on benefits of using the atlas
  • 112 pages, paperback, 8" x 10"

ASIN: 0528014471

The Family Tree Historical Atlas of Germany

Family Tree Books

Based on 165 reviews Check latest price

Concise Historical Atlas of the U.S. Civil War

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings (Hist Atlas)

Based on 165 reviews Check latest price

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Egypt (Hist Atlas)

Based on 84 reviews Check latest price

The Historical Atlas of World War II: 170 Maps that Chart the Most Cataclysmic Event in Human History (Historical Atlas Series)

Based on 78 reviews Check latest price

Product features

DUNKIRK 1940

After the German attacks on 10 May 1940, the rapid advance, particularly of the Panzer divisions, made a nonsense of the Allied defense plan. By 15 May the British and the Belgians were being outflanked in the north by German advances in the Netherlands. Appearing out of the Ardennes Forest, German Army Group A crossed the River Meuse at Sedan and Dinant, French Resistance collapsed at these weakly-held points, allowing the Germans to advance into northern France. Trying to realign his armies, Gamelin, the French commander agreed to the withdrawal of the French First Army Group and the British Expeditionary Force from the line of the Dyle to the River Scheldt on 16 May. French armored attacks on the 17–19 May and British on 21 May gave the Germans a scare and a few temporary problems, their advance continued reaching Abbeville by 20 May and then the Channel coast on 22 May.

THE BOMBING OF GERMANY 1940–41

The British Royal Air Force, the world’s first air force independent of army or navy, had been formed around the proposition of taking the war to the enemy by bombing its industrial centers. The R.A.F. had done this in 1918, operating from bases in northern France. Its fleet of strategic bombers was just coming into meaningful service when the World War I ended. Through to the 1920s and 30s, the R.A.F.’s main role had become a colonial one—bombing rebellious tribes with a fleet of light biplane bombers. Its strategic role relegated to theory and discussion in training schools. By the mid-30s rearmament was underway, which included new aircraft for R.A.F. Bomber Command. In September 1939 this Command was ready to operate from bases in eastern England, following its “Western Air Plans” (originated by the Combined Services Planning Section in 1936). These plans assumed immediate military operations by German forces in the west.

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece

Penguin Books

Based on 100 reviews Check latest price

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