Detail

Old maps, as valuable historic materials, provide a glance of the level of sophistication in technology and artistry of the times when they were created. Korea's old maps that indicate our ancestors' interest in the northern areas of Joseon (1392~1863) show Baekdoo Mountain, Korea's sacred mountain, together with Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Through the consideration of the representative old maps, which are both striking and meaningful, an accurate view of Korea's history can be established and the superiority of Korea's old maps can be put forward. Aguk Chong-do (Map of Korea) As a full map of Joseon that was included in the "Yeo-jido"(Atlas of Korea), an atlas created during the reign of King Jeongjo of Joseon, Aguk Chong do follows "Dongguk jido (Map of East Country (Korea))"of Jeong Sang-Ki, a cartographer of the late Joseon Dynasty. It accurately expressed the contours of the northern areas of Joseon. In Aguk Chong-do, mountain ranges, rivers and the provinces were colored in floridity and the islands were drawn in detail, with the Baekdoo Mountain soaring high in the North and Woosando (now, Dokdo) accurately marked to the east of Ulleungdo in the East Sea. Daedong Yeoji Jeon-do (Complete territorial map of the Great East (Korea)) Drawn on a scale of 1:920,000, Daedong Yeoji Jeon-do is a full map of Korea that condensed Kim Jung-Ho's Daedong Yeoji-do (Territorial map of the Great East (Korea), created in 1861) so that it can be seen at a glance. The mountain ranges were expressed as the continuing teeth of a saw, with the saw's thickness showing the size of a mountain range. Considering the contents of the map and the manner in which they are expressed, Daedongyeojijeondo is presumed to have also been created by Kim Jung-Ho. This map marks in detail both the locations of gun's and hyeon's, the two administrative districts during the Joseon Dynasty, as well as the road system. Paldo Chong-do (Map of Eight-Provinces (Korea)) Paldo Chong-do is a full map of Joseon that is included in the opening of Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Newly Enlarged Geographical Survey of Korea), a representative book of human geography of the early Joseon Dynasty. This map marked mountains, key rivers, names of the provinces and key islands, together with the national sites of ancestor worship ceremonies. Created in the 16th century, this map marks Ulleungdo and Woosando (now, Dokdo). But the two islands' locations were marked conversely. Honilgangni Yeokdae Gukdo-jido (Comprehensive Map of the World and Nation's Successive Capitals) As the oldest map existing in Korea, Honilgangni Yeokdae Gukdo-jido shows the excellent cartographic techniques of the early Joseon Dynasty. This map was created in 1402 (the second year of the reign of King Taejong of Joseon) by Kim Sa-Hyeong, Lee Moo, Lee Hwoi, etc. As a world-famous cultural asset of Korea, this map shows a wide panorama from Europe and Africa to Japan. It is one of the finest world maps that were produced in the 15th century. By depicting Korea bigger than it really is, this map expresses the strong sense of confidence and pride in the Korean people.