Middle East Gallery

Anglo-Saxon 10th century world map

Anglo-Saxon world map, dating from the 10th century. East is top. This map of the known world was probably produced by an Irish monk. Considering the state of European learning at the time, it is an impressive geographical achievement. However, in terms of accuracy it is outclassed by maps dating from the Classical era. Important landmarks, such as Jerusalem and Rome, are marked. The original is part of the Cotton Library, held in the British Library. Taken from A Book of Discovery (1912) by M.B. Synge

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Map of Palestine, 1588

16th century map of Palestine. North is towards upper right. Published in 1588, this German map shows the geography of Palestine, centred on the area that later become the state of Israel. The inscriptions are in German, and the place names are in Latin. These include ancient names like Petra, Coele Syria and Judea. The Dead Sea is at lower centre, and the Mediterranean coast is at left. Numerous towns and villages are shown on the map. The map is by the German cartographer Sebastian Munster (1489-1552), and was published in Basel in a posthumous edition of his Cosmographia, the earliest German atlas

© LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, GEOGRAPHY AND MAP DIVISION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Palm Islands construction, Dubai

Luxury island construction, Dubai. Ikonos satellite image of an artificial palm tree-shaped island created in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai. This is the Jumeirah Palm resort. It is one of two artificial islands (the Palm Islands). The project started in May 2002; this image was taken on 9 June 2004. 200 million cubic metres of sand have been used to create 120 kilometres of shoreline for over 60 hotels, 5000 luxury villas and apartments, marinas, dive sites, restaurants and shopping malls. Construction on the Jumeirah Palm is expected to be completed by early 2006. Dubai is in the United Arab Emirates

© GEOEYE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY