The early modern period encompasses approximately 300 years of history, but in this short period the modern world as we know it today emerged. In this period, the foundation of national borders, the existence and confirmation of distant continents, the foundation of colonies occurred and it was the era when globalization in the modern sense appeared. This period was the harbinger of the interconnected society we live in today, and was made possible by enterprising nations and adventurous individuals who chose to navigate the known world and aggregate knowledge of the cultures present therein. The gathering of knowledge has been aided by the arrival of new, more accurate maps that pave the way for future generations to foster connections with nations around the world. Maps in a sense have been the heralds of global connectivity and have put into a tangible medium the means by which peoples around the world interact and have served to advance social discourse in a way that is unrivaled by any other mechanism . To further understand the implications of the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures during this period, one must also look at religion as many of the earliest known explorers were missionaries seeking to anoint the four corners of the globe with the religion of their village. fervor. In this article we will look in particular at the exploits of Father Matteo Ricci, who was a pioneering figure in the Eastern understanding of the West. Rudimentary maps have existed since man was capable of written thought, but they were quite local in nature and never accurately represented much outside the boundaries where the cartographer lived. However, when people began to trade and network with... middle of paper... the historical map was the catalyst for trade and the precursor to subsequent relationships between East and West. As such, it is therefore easy to assume and understand the idea that this map must surely mark an era in the history of Chinese world knowledge, if not Chinese thought. Maps have invariably changed the way nations and cultures interact with each other and as such are an integral part of how life is conducted in today's society. The enormous influence that Father Ricci's map had on East-West relations is being realized right now, as China becomes one of the emerging superpowers of the 21st century. The importance of maps and the vital role they play in the affairs of this world can be best embodied in something Robert Rundstrum said: “Mapping is central to the process of bringing order to the world.. (1926)”