The first globe ever made was created by Martin Behaim in 1492, and it was known as the Erdapfel (Earth Apple). While it was a remarkable achievement for its time, there were several inaccuracies and misconceptions depicted on the globe. Here are some of the key issues:
1. Size and Shape: The globe was smaller in size compared to the actual Earth, and its shape was not perfectly spherical.
2. Misplacement of Continents: The positioning of continents and landmasses was not entirely accurate. For instance, North America was not shown as a separate continent, and South America was depicted as a large island rather than a continent.
3. Incomplete Map: Many regions, particularly in the southern hemisphere, were left blank or incomplete due to limited geographical knowledge at the time.
4. Lack of Knowledge about the Americas: The globe was created before the extensive exploration of the Americas by European explorers, so the New World was not depicted on the globe.
5. Placement of the Equator: The equator on the globe was not in its correct position.
6. Absence of longitude: Behaim's globe did not show longitude lines. He used the prime meridian system later devised by Spanish priest Pedro de Medina.
Other Notable Errors in Early Globes and Maps:
1. Flat Earth Maps: For many centuries, people believed the Earth was flat, and maps were made accordingly. It was not until the Age of Exploration that the spherical nature of the Earth became widely accepted.
2. Distorted Sizes: Early maps often used distortions in the sizes of continents and landmasses to fit the available space, resulting in inaccurate proportions.
3. Incomplete Coastlines: Prior to extensive exploration, many coastlines on maps were drawn speculatively due to limited knowledge of the world's geography.
4. Sea Monsters and mythical Creatures: Some early maps featured illustrations of sea monsters, mythical creatures, and imaginary lands based on folklore and superstitions.
5. Lack of Standardization: Different mapmakers had their own styles and conventions, leading to inconsistencies in the representation of geographical features.
These errors and misconceptions were gradually corrected as cartographers gained a better understanding of the world through exploration, scientific advancements, and the development of more accurate measuring instruments.