Famous Maps
1 / 15Historic maps, cartographers, and mapping milestones
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
Which 2nd-century Greek-Roman geographer created an influential world map and wrote the 'Geography' that guided mapmakers for over a thousand years?
About Famous Maps
Give your memory a workout with Famous Maps: 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty, free to play right in your browser. Historic maps, cartographers, and mapping milestones Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. Which 2nd-century Greek-Roman geographer created an influential world map and wrote the 'Geography' that guided mapmakers for over a thousand years?
Answer: Ptolemy
2. The Mercator projection, still widely used for navigation, was created by Gerardus Mercator in which century?
Answer: 16th century
3. Which medieval map, created around 1300 and housed in Hereford Cathedral, is the largest surviving medieval map of the world?
Answer: Mappa Mundi
4. German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller's 1507 map is historically significant because it was the first to use which name?
Answer: America
5. The Piri Reis map, drawn in 1513 by an Ottoman admiral, is remarkable for its accurate depiction of which coastline?
Answer: South America
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Famous Maps fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Famous Maps?
Famous Maps has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Famous Maps free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Famous Maps — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Famous Maps take?
Most players finish Famous Maps in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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