Mapmatics: How We Navigate the World Through Numbers

A fascinating exploration of how cartography shapes our world and the impact of maps on our everyday lives.

‘If you have ever wondered why an airliner bound from London to Los Angeles flies over Greenland, how we know what lies inside the Earth, or how computers correct errors, then this book is for you’ – John Gribbin, author of In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat

‘An expansive journey through time and place’ – The Observer

‘Entertaining, illuminating . . . An engaging look at a fascinating subject’ – New Scientist

How does a delivery driver distribute hundreds of packages in a single day?
Why can maps influence elections?
Where should we look for serial killers?
The answers lie in the connection between maps and maths.

Mathematician Dr Paulina Rowinska explores the mathematical foundations of maps and cartography’s impact on mathematics. From sixteenth-century maps which we still use on our phones to public transport maps that both guide and mislead, she uncovers how maps and maths shape our sense of space and time, and our worldview.

Through engaging stories, unforgettable characters and real-world examples, Mapmatics reveals the mathematical techniques behind maps and how they help us better understand – and care for – the world around us.