This 19th-century map of the Korean peninsula was made during the late Joseon dynasty. It depicts the country’s eight political and administrative divisions, labeled with Chinese characters in the red circles.
Antique Maps Highlight Korea’s Rich Cultural Heritage
While the Olympic spotlight is on Korea, see the intriguing ways that mapmakers have depicted the peninsula over centuries.
This year’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, trains a spotlight on a peninsula that is increasingly the source of geopolitical attention. From firework-filled opening ceremonies to a smiling white tiger mascot, the games have given South Korea a chance to project its culture to the world. We thought we’d offer a different glimpse at Korea’s self-image—through maps.
Korea has a long and interesting cartographic history. One of the earliest-known East Asian maps of the world was made in Korea in 1402. The map, known as the Kangnido, was lost at some point, but there are three surviving copies that were made (albeit with some revisions) in the 15th and 16th centuries, including the one below, from around 1560. Korea is
