The 1909 Linguistic Map Of Mexico And Central America offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s indigenous language distribution. This detailed cartographic record, now available as an interactive web application, meticulously documents the locations and extent of over 90 indigenous languages across Mexico and Central America. The map was created as part of a comprehensive effort to identify and map as many indigenous languages as possible at the time.
Exploring the Interactive Map of Mexico and Central America
The digital version of the map is hosted as a web application, providing users with an enhanced experience compared to traditional static maps. This interactive platform allows users to explore the map’s intricate details and wealth of information with ease.
Key features of the web application include:
- Interactive Polygons: Each region representing a specific language is selectable. Clicking on a polygon reveals a pop-up box containing detailed information about the language spoken in that area, including its language family affiliation.
- Color-Coded Regions: The polygons retain the original map’s color-coding scheme, corresponding to the legend, ensuring visual consistency with the historical document.
- Side-by-Side Comparison: The application allows users to view the digitized map alongside a high-resolution scan of the original 1909 map, facilitating comparisons and a deeper understanding of the historical context.
- Original Map Access: High-resolution scans of the original map are available upon request, along with options for in-person consultations to examine the physical collection.
Significance for Modern Linguistic Studies
This historical map of Mexico and Central America offers invaluable insights for contemporary linguistic and anthropological research. It provides a unique record of the historical distribution of indigenous languages, including those now considered extinct or endangered. Languages such as Matagalpan, Pakawan (extinct), and Lencan (endangered) are documented, shedding light on their past prevalence and geographic reach.
The map covers a wide geographic scope, including:
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- Belize
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
Created in 1909 at a scale of ~1:6,991,448, this map represents a significant contribution to the understanding of linguistic diversity in the region.
This interactive map of Mexico and Central America offers a powerful tool for researchers, educators, and anyone interested in exploring the rich linguistic history of the region. The web application and access to the original map provide valuable resources for understanding the evolution of indigenous languages and their cultural significance. For further information or to request high-resolution scans, contact the Map and Geospatial Hub.
