People use maps to document spaces. Maps contain rich details of interactions between people and their surroundings, while also reflecting mankind’s understanding and views about the environment in different eras. The NMTH holds more than 3,000 historical maps and related objects, among them 400 individual maps and atlases dating from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, roughly 1,600 general and thematic maps from the Japanese colonial period, and more than 700 general and thematic maps published since World War II. There are also maps in books, documents, and manuscripts, as well as maps in various other forms. These maps are not only important to the NMTH for collecting, research, and exhibition purposes. The collection is considered the most impressive in Taiwan. The museum’s map display area contains some replicas of precious old maps dating from between the 16th and the 19th centuries. There are also maps published by the Council for Economic Planning and Development (part of Taiwan’s central government), city and county administrative maps, and urban planning maps, all in paper-sheet form. Relevant overseas and domestic publications are also available.