This article examines the role of historical maps as both a scientific and cultural phenomenon in the history of human development. From the earliest attempts to depict spatial layouts on clay tablets to modern digital maps based on GIS technologies, it is evident that maps have served not only as tools for navigation but also as reflections of political authority, religious worldviews, and technological progress. The study discusses the main stages in the evolution of cartography, as well as its role in shaping human perceptions of space, time, and identity. It emphasizes that cartography is a science that emerged in deep antiquity and has developed continuously, with its scientific, cultural, and political functions considered in a systematic way. The work presents a comparative analysis of the cartographic traditions of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, along with spatial perceptions in the medieval Islamic and Christian worldviews. Special attention is given to the significance of cartography during the Age of Discovery and within the context of colonial ideology, as well as its role in shaping national ideology as a counterbalance to colonial narratives. In addition, the article considers modern maps as an influential instrument in shaping territorial integrity, national identity, historical memory, and geopolitical strategies. It demonstrates that contemporary digital cartography, in the context of a complex and changing geopolitical landscape, has become a crucial tool of global politics and culture. For states such as Kazakhstan, which have experienced a colonial past, inherited distorted historical toponyms, and face current issues of territorial integrity, the importance of historical maps is particularly significant. In conclusion, the study offers an in-depth analysis of the influence and transformation of cartography in the scientific, political, and spiritual spheres, revealing its modern geopolitical applications and its role in ensuring the integrity and sustainable independence of the state.
Sarkytkan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.