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Al-Idrisi's Maps: A Landmark in Arabic Geography and Cartographic Literature

  The Islamic Golden Age produced many scientific marvels, but few works stand as enduringly influential and visually compelling as the maps of Muhammad al-Idrisi . His cartographic contributions, particularly in the monumental work Tabula Rogeriana , mark a pinnacle of geographical knowledge in the medieval world. For lovers of Arabic literature, history, and science, al-Idrisi's maps are not merely tools of navigation—they are poetic records of how the Arab-Islamic world saw the globe. This article explores the legacy of al-Idrisi's maps, their literary and historical significance, and why they continue to fascinate scholars, travelers, and readers alike. Who Was Al-Idrisi? Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Idrisi al-Qurtubi al-Hasani al-Sabti (1100–1165 CE), commonly known as al-Idrisi, was a Moroccan geographer, cartographer, and Egyptologist. Born in Ceuta , then part of the Almoravid Empire, and educated in Córdoba , al-Idrisi represents the fusion of North African, Andalusi...