Abraham Ortelius

Abraham Ortelius was a 16th-century Dutch cartographer and geographer known for creating the first modern atlas, called the "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum," published in 1570. His work compiled and systematically arranged maps of the world, helping people see connections between continents and understand Earth's geography more comprehensively. Ortelius is also credited with proposing the idea that continents and landmasses might have once been connected, laying early groundwork for the theory of continental drift. His maps were highly influential, improving navigation and understanding of the world during the Age of Exploration.