Famous Fantasy Maps To Fuel Your Adventures

Here in our world, we've got maps, sure. We've got phone apps, and GPS... But the allure that is captured in epic fantasy tales is often accompanied by a map of its own world. If you want some legit inspiration for having your own adventure map (far more interesting than an app, for the record!) you don't need to look far! Here we have the inspiration from other worlds...

This impressive map spans the entirety of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings world. Known as Middle Earth, a hand-drawn depiction of this realm was created by the protagonist’s uncle, Bilbo Baggins, after his adventures with a ragtag group of dwarfs. 

Coming from a small, secluded town, Bilbo was inspired by his eye-opening travels to take an account of all that took place. He created a map in retrospect based on his own memory. Biblo clearly recognized how important it might be for future travelers to have a map like this.

Considering how dangerous Middle Earth was turning at this point in the story, the map was crucial for Bilbo’s nephew, Frodo, to be able to traverse through foreign lands unscathed. In the same way, your knowledge of the places you visit will prove to be extremely useful in keeping you both inspired AND on the right path!

The map of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia represents, in a sense, the wonderful power of imagination. A group of kids playing hide-and-seek stumble upon this magical land. Shiny lights, cold winters, and talking animals were a much needed change of pace for the dreary war-torn landscape from which they hoped to escape.

Our day to day lives can feel a bit mundane or perhaps even dangerous at times. Fortunately for me and you, traveling (even just thinking about it) gives us that extra oomph we need to brighten our day, and keep us moving onward. And visualizing that next adventure on your map will be a constant reminder on your wall, staring at you, calling to you... until you get up and go!

In a similar way, the students at Hogwarts School of Wizardry in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, were desperate to leave their dormitories and explore the gigantic castle in which they lived. Lucky for them, they happened upon the spell-bound Marauder’s Map that allowed them not only to skip class, so to speak, but more importantly escape from threats of looming danger and eventually help their fellow classmates get out of tons of magical disasters!

What better way to use a map then to have a blast with your closest friends? The only thing more exciting than that idea might be saving the world while you’re at it.

There are plenty more maps from fictional worlds out there. Here's a little list to get you started if you're interesting in digging deeper!

• Star Wars Galaxy
• Game of Thrones World
• Jurassic Park
• Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)
• The Wheel of Time World
• Even Winnie the Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood

The list could go on for a long time! Needless to say, these maps aren't only inspiration to a traveler and story lover, they have inspired the maps we make as well!

Blending that sense of adventure and character into the world we live in is the best part about creating new map styles and providing a never-seen-before perspective of our world.

So what are you waiting for? It's time for you to get started with a real life map of your own!