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Lauf des Nils, a map created in 1831, delineates the course of the Nile River from the "Cataracte von Dulga" to Cairo, illustrating towns, villages, river cataracts, and significant heritage sites such as the Pyramids of Giza. The depiction of relief is achieved through subtle shading, and the map forms part of C. Ritter's Erdkunde, 2nd edition.
During the first half of the 19th century, Egypt's Nile Valley became an area of intense interest to European geographers and explorers. The 1831 publication of this map falls within a period of resurgence in Egyptology and the scientific exploration of the African continent. The map's geographical scope, extending from the Cataracte von Dulga to Cairo, encompasses not only natural features but also culturally significant landmarks, reflecting a growing European fascination with Egypt's ancient heritage.
The map's detailed renderings offer more than mere cartographic precision. The inclusion of towns, villages, and river cataracts, alongside the marking of the Pyramids of Giza, signifies an attempt to capture the rich complexity of the region.
In conclusion, Lauf des Nils is emblematic of a time when geographical exploration was intertwined with cultural and historical inquiry. This map, by illustrating both the physical terrain of the Nile and its adjacent human settlements and historical landmarks, mirrors the 19th-century's multidimensional approach to understanding this iconic river. Its creation not only serves as a geographical document but also as a window into the intellectual currents and fascinations of its time.
Rarity
Rare. Only one other example illustrated online, at the University of Cape Town's African Historical Maps Collection.
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