Cartographers Have Been Hiding Covert Illustrations Inside of Switzerland's Maps
10 days ago
- #Switzerland
- #cartography
- #hidden-art
- Swisstopo's maps include a 'fourth dimension' of time, showcasing 175 years of Swiss cartographic history.
- Hidden illustrations like spiders, faces, and animals appear on Swiss maps, inserted by cartographers defying accuracy mandates.
- These hidden drawings serve as inside jokes and coping mechanisms for meticulous cartographers.
- Some illustrations, like a naked woman composed of landscape features, remained undetected for decades.
- The latest hidden drawing, a marmot, was discovered in 2016 and is set to be removed from future maps.
- Swisstopo maintains strict standards but acknowledges human error and the occasional playful cartographer.
- Hidden drawings sometimes reference local legends or cover gaps in geographical data.
- Despite their unofficial nature, these illustrations have become a quirky tradition in Swiss cartography.