The "Past Cities" website offers a comprehensive platform for exploring the history, landmarks, and geography of cities around the world. It aims to deepen our understanding of human civilization by providing an interactive map and detailed information. The site covers ancient cities, their origins, development, and decline, showcasing their architectural wonders, social structures, and enduring legacies.
The website highlights the remarkable architectural and engineering feats found in cities throughout history, such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty. Users can learn about the history, significance, and fascinating stories behind these structures, marveling at their endurance over time.
Geography's role in shaping cities is another focal point of "Past Cities". The site explores how the natural environment influenced the development, growth, and identities of cities worldwide. It examines the relationship between geographical features and urban landscapes, illustrating how cities adapted to and harnessed their unique characteristics, thereby influencing their economic, social, and cultural aspects.
At the core of the website there is an interactive map, providing a visual representation of cities and their historical context. This allows users to explore how cities emerged, how trade routes were established, and how environmental challenges were navigated. By immersing themselves in the interactive maps, users gain a greater appreciation for the complex tapestry of human civilization.
"Past Cities" invites visitors on a captivating journey through time and space. It serves as a portal to the diverse history of cities globally, encouraging a deeper understanding of our shared human heritage and the forces that have shaped our present world. By delving into the wealth of information and interactive features, users can celebrate the achievements of our ancestors, gain inspiration from human resilience, creativity, and ingenuity, and develop a greater appreciation for the interconnected nature of our world we all share.
The map with the countries with the most remarkable history has been generated taking into account each countries' entries in the UNESCO World Heritage List (Copyright © 1992 – 2023 UNESCO/World Heritage Centre).
The World Heritage List catalog, maintained by UNESCO, identifies and recognizes culturally and naturally significant sites of universal value. It aims to preserve and protect these sites, promote their appreciation, and encourage international cooperation for their conservation. The list highlights the importance of safeguarding our shared heritage and promotes sustainable tourism.
The map was created using OpenLayers, with extensions provided by ol-ext. This uses imagery from OpenStreetMap, Thunderforest, Bing Maps, and Mapquest. Geocoding is supported by Nominatim via ol3-geocoder. The site logo is sourced from Freepik - Flaticon. Hosting is provided by x10Hosting.
