Ptolemy's world map

Notable features of Ptolemy's map is the first use of longitudinal and latitudinal lines as well as specifying terrestrial locations by celestial observations.

The Geography was translated from Greek into Arabic in the 9th century and played a role in the work of al-Khwārizmī before lapsing into obscurity.

The idea of a global coordinate system revolutionized European geographical thought, however, and inspired more mathematical treatment of cartography.

Instead, the present form of the map was reconstructed from Ptolemy's coordinates by Byzantine monks under the direction of Maximus Planudes shortly after 1295.

Due to Marinus and Ptolemy's mistaken measure of the circumference of the earth, the former is made to extend much too far in terms of degrees of arc; due to their reliance on Hipparchus, they mistakenly enclose the latter with an eastern and southern shore of unknown lands, which prevents the map from identifying the western coast of the World Ocean.

The west coast of Jutland is home to the Sigulônes, the Sabaliggio, the Kobandoi, the Eundusioi and the northernmost Kimbroi (possibly Cimbri).

Ptolemy 's world map, reconstituted from Ptolemy's Geography (circa 150) in the 15th century, indicating "Sinae" ( China ) at the extreme right, beyond the island of "Taprobane" ( Ceylon or Sri Lanka , oversized) and the "Aurea Chersonesus" (Southeast Asian peninsula).
Detail of East and Southeast Asia in Ptolemy 's world map. Gulf of the Ganges ( Bay of Bengal ) left, Southeast Asian peninsula in the center, South China Sea right, with "Sinae" (China).