Qatar National Library unveils 4 heritage maps

Doha: With over 1,200 sheet maps and a rich array of atlases, the Heritage Library at Qatar National Library (QNL) offers a comprehensive glimpse into...

Doha: With over 1,200 sheet maps and a rich array of atlases, the Heritage Library at Qatar National Library (QNL) offers a comprehensive glimpse into cartographic history from the late 15th to the mid-20th century.

This collection spans the Arabian Peninsula, the Gulf region, and beyond into Africa, Asia, the Indian subcontinent, as well as the Ottoman Empire, capturing a world in transition through maps.

The Library houses the 'Tabula Asiae VI' (The Sixth Map of Asia), one of the early printed maps from Claudius Ptolemy's Geographia.

It was engraved by Conrad Swenheym and printed in 1478. This map is historically significant as it features the earliest known mention of Qatar on a print map, then labeled 'Catara.' Serving as a bridge between ancient Roman and medieval European cartographic traditions, the pivotal piece highlights Qatars early global recognition.

QNL's collection includes a 4.35-meter-long Ottoman manuscript strip map from the mid-17th century, detailing the journey of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from eastern Anatolia to the Arabian Gulf. Attributed to the renowned Ottoman traveler Evliya Celebi, this geographical masterpiece illustrates many cities and historical routes.