alIdrisi

Muhammad al-Idrisi, often simply known as al-Idrisi, was a prominent Arab geographer, cartographer, and traveler who lived from 1100 to 1165 or 1166 CE. He was born in Ceuta, in modern-day Morocco, and his work significantly advanced the understanding of geography and cartography in the medieval Islamic world and beyond.

Al-Idrisi is best known for creating a world map and a comprehensive geographical encyclopedia titled "Nuzhat al-Mushtaq fi Ikhtiraq al-Afaq" (A Delight for the One Who Longs to Traverse the Regions of the World), commonly referred to as the Tabula Rogeriana. This monumental work was commissioned by King Roger II of Sicily, for whom al-Idrisi worked for many years. The Tabula Rogeriana described the known world in detail, dividing it into seven climate zones and then subdividing each zone into eleven sections.

His maps, including the famous Tabula Rogeriana, were highly influential for centuries. Al-Idrisi's cartographic methods incorporated astronomical observations, geographical knowledge gathered from travelers, and existing ancient texts. He emphasized the spherical nature of the Earth and meticulously described the various lands, seas, rivers, cities, and mountains of his time. His detailed descriptions extended to the peoples, customs, and economies of the regions he documented, providing invaluable historical and geographical insights. Al-Idrisi's legacy lies in his systematic approach to geography and his significant contributions to mapmaking, which influenced European cartography long after his death.