Ptolemy’s view revolutionised geographic knowledge when the world was first represented by Europeans and still inspired scholars during the Age of Discovery (c. 1418-1565). Apparently, though, it was the way Portuguese mariners’ discoveries in India had been made to fit into the Ptolemaic view by earlier globemakers that dissatisfied Mercator and prompted him to design a terrestrial globe of his own.

Indeed, the Greek scientist’s overriding and nearly tyrannical conception was gradually discredited in some circles by new observations, particularly those of sailors and explorers. Mercator, while still revering Ptolemy’s ideas, was among those who would temper the classical view with a more pragmatic approach. His terrestrial globe included the latest information reported by mariners as well as accounts of travellers like Marco Polo. In this respect he can be considered the founder of modern geography and even, as some observers already called him during his lifetime, “the modern-day Ptolemy”.

On Mercator’s terrestrial globe the Mediterranean basin is far better represented than by Ptolemy. Similarly, the features of Africa correspond more faithfully to reality as regards both landforms and nomenclature. Drawing on better sources, Mercator also improved the representation of Scandinavia, the Far East and the North Pole.