About:

Miguel García Álvarez is a map lover and writer with 10+ years sharing maps, running a catalogue and newsletter, now publishing in English.

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Maps History Storytelling Language

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The blog post explores the historical military plans of the US and Canada amidst rising tensions, revealing the complexities of their relationship and preparedness for conflict.
The number of continents is a culturally and historically defined concept, with various models existing globally, reflecting arbitrary boundaries rather than scientific consensus.
The blog post provides a detailed account of Christopher Columbus's four voyages, focusing on his attempts to measure longitude, which were fraught with inaccuracies. It discusses Columbus's background, his funding from the Spanis...
The article examines the ambiguous count of countries worldwide, revealing that the accepted number ranges from 180 to 220 based on different recognition criteria.
The blog post discusses a collection of 672 maps from the Great Korean Encyclopaedia, highlighting North Korea's unique cartographic perspective. It emphasizes the portrayal of Korea as a unified country, the depiction of enemies ...
The blog post discusses the concept of 'islario,' a term that refers to collections of islands, particularly in the context of historical geographical works. It traces the evolution of island atlases from Claudius Ptolemy's 'Geogr...
Propaganda was crucial in swaying American public opinion for military involvement in both World Wars, utilizing media and maps to create a narrative of urgency and threat.
Leonardo da Vinci's lesser-known contributions to cartography include innovative city maps and the use of color to depict terrain elevation, reflecting his scientific approach to geography.
This post uncovers lesser-known ancient wonders that were often excluded from canonical lists, highlighting their historical and architectural significance.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World illustrate the blend of historical fascination and artistic interpretation, revealing the complexities of their origins and significance.
The blog post explores the extensive underground network of mines and catacombs beneath Paris, detailing their historical significance from ancient mining activities to the transformation of cemeteries into ossuaries. It discusses...
The post examines prehistoric submerged lands during the last Ice Age, emphasizing their role in human migration and biodiversity.
The post examines the ambiguous boundaries of the Iberian Peninsula, challenging traditional definitions and emphasizing the role of cultural consensus in geographical classifications.
February 2026 is marked by escalating global conflicts, including US-Israel attacks on Iran and Pakistan's war on Afghanistan, illustrated through various informative maps.
The article explores the evolution of bird's-eye view maps, highlighting their historical significance and artistic value. It discusses the transition from rudimentary city representations to more sophisticated cartographic art, e...
The post reflects on personal health struggles with viruses while analyzing the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for improved healthcare preparedness.
The post examines the history and advancements in mapping population density, emphasizing its importance in understanding demographic distribution worldwide.
The text discusses the challenges of accurately determining the current and historical population of Earth, emphasizing the difficulties in measuring births, deaths, and migration. It provides estimates of the current global popul...
A curated collection of intriguing maps and articles from January 2026, reflecting on geopolitical events and personal anecdotes, including a special birthday gift from the author's niece.
Celebrating its first anniversary, 'A Cartographer’s Tale' introduces an English version of its map catalogue and reflects on the significance of maps in storytelling and history.
The blog post discusses the #30DayMapChallenge, initiated by Topi Tjukanov in 2019, inspired by Jake Parker's Inktober. The challenge invites map creators to publish one map daily for 30 days in November, adhering to specific them...
The post explores the relationship between vexillology (the study of flags) and cartography, highlighting the shared interest of their followers. The author shares unusual photographs of landscapes that feature a country's flag wi...
The author recounts their travel experiences from Madrid to Tokyo, highlighting the changes in flight routes due to geopolitical tensions, specifically the ban on Russian airspace. They describe their journey, including the unique...
The blog post examines the global celebration of Christmas, its historical roots, cultural adaptations, and the evolution of gift-giving traditions, including the influence of Santa Claus.