A 1685 Ocean Current Map

 

The focus of this map from 1685 is the ocean currents, while we find the land masses are the most interesting part. The proportions are strange, but it’s pretty complete considering the measuring tools and methods available at the time. The Mississippi River flows through Texas, and Florida is missing, but the details of the coastlines are pretty familiar. This map is part of a collection of historical graphs from the British Library in an exhibit called Beautiful Science: Picturing Data, Inspiring Insight. See more examples from the exhibit at Buzzfeed.