Following in the footsteps of explorers who have been celebrated on International Map Day, including Ferdinand Magellan and Ameila Earhart, this year’s International Map Day honors Marco Polo.

Known for discovering (or at least re-establishing) the overland route from Europe to Asia for trade and commerce, Marco Polo was “the traveler” of the 13th Century. As 2021 is likely a year of exploration for many in terms of re-igniting a passion for travel, Marco Polo seems a fitting globetrotter to emulate.

Based on maps, a common tool for navigating on land or sea, International Map Day seeks to enhance understanding of past explorers and bring interest, engagement, and excitement to the worlds of maps and geography. Beyond the celebration of exploration is the desire to interest people in the world of maps, expanding our discussion on how maps work and why they matter.

Maps.com, a Santa Barbara-based company brings International Map Day to the world with examples of detailed maps of the journeys taken by historical explorers like Marco Polo. Included is a downloadable map of Marco Polo’s expeditions, a digital story map with detail imagery and content, and links to additional information.

“Maps.com takes pride in opening the world of maps and helping expand peoples’ understanding of their world, both past and present,” the company said. “These explorers traveled in a different time, with different tools and methods, although they too used a map to find their way.

“We would recognize the map that Marco Polo used for what it is; directions to a new world. That’s the excitement of maps and the fascination we at Maps.com want to share with the world.”

For more, visit https://www.maps.com/pages/2021-international-map-day.