Geographical analysis of atlases produced in the Ottoman Empire

Cartography constitutes one of the key research topics within the history of geography. Evolving through various historical phases, cartography has reached its current state with atlases playing a crucial role in this development. Since the time of The concept of the "atlas" was first introduced by Gerardus Mercator with his work Atlas sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati (1595), attributing a cartographic meaning to such map collections. With the advent of the printing press, atlases were widely produced and distributed across Europe, undergoing continuous changes and becoming significant commercial products through the advancement of geographic knowledge. Similarly, atlases were also produced in the Ottoman Empire. This doctoral dissertation aims to examine the characteristics of atlases within the scope of Ottoman cartographic practices. By analyzing both the content and technical features of Ottoman atlases, the study seeks to reveal the evolution of Ottoman geography and its distinctions from European traditions. To this end, 56 known Ottoman atlases were catalogued, and four representative examples were selected for detailed analysis of all individual maps they contain. The concept of the atlas is approached from a phenomenological perspective, and the maps within these atlases are analyzed using the technique developed by Özür (2019; 2021). Through this method, 176 maps encompassing miniature, portolan, early modern, and modern projection types were evaluated in terms of both form and content. The findings outline a general framework regarding the status of atlases in the Ottoman context and offer a comparative analysis with European atlases. The study concludes that Ottoman atlases differ from their European counterparts in terms of purpose and presentation. While European atlases were primarily produced for commercial and aesthetic purposes, Ottoman atlases were prepared to meet state needs, prioritizing functionality and accurate representation of geographic knowledge over decoration. Early examples such as miniature and portolan maps gradually evolved into modern projections, as evidenced by transitional works like Muhit. This transition reflects the adaptive nature of atlas production in the Ottoman Empire in response to shifting demands. Ultimately, the Ottoman Empire developed a unique cartographic tradition in which atlas production was state-driven and state-utilized, with minimal involvement from the public or private sector. As a result, atlas production remained limited in quantity, hindering the dissemination and accessibility of cartographic knowledge among the general population. Keywords: History of geography, cartography, maps, atlas, Ottoman atlases