The Pharos of Alexandria, built around 280 BC, is believed to be one of the first lighthouses ever built. In the millennia since, lighthouses sprang up all over the world. They helped mariners navigate hazardous coastal areas and marked harbors. Lighthouses also served as fixed positional aids to help sailors get their bearings. While modern technology has made them mostly obsolete, thousands of lighthouses still exist today.
This engaging map from Mike Huff and Ryan Huff charts more than 600 lighthouses along the Atlantic Ocean in North America. It’s based off more than 80 hours of research and includes lighthouses in Canada, the US, Mexico, the Bahamas, Cuba, Belize, and Honduras.
The first thing you notice about the map is its unique perspective and orientation. Unlike many maps which orient north at the top, this panoramic map places the Atlantic coast of North America at the top of the map. It captures the essence of looking at the vast horizon of North America while sailing across the Atlantic.
Lighthouses blanket the coasts, with dense coverage in New England and the Canadian Maritimes. A stylized mix of symbol types and sizes represents the age, height, and operating status of the lighthouses. The 563 lighthouses that are still in use glow as yellow lights on the map. Retired lighthouses are shown in muted gray.
The map calls out nearly two dozen lighthouses with labels that provide their name, construction dates, and heights. The oldest lighthouse identified on the map is one that still operates today. Located in St. Augustine, Florida, it was originally built by Spain in the 1500s. The map also includes select parallels and meridians for directional context. But the focus remains on the lighthouses.
The longer you look at the map, you more you notice interesting little details. You can spot lighthouses deep along the St. Lawrence River near Quebec. You can also see lighthouses along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Alabama. In areas with more operating lighthouses, the waters and coasts glow in warm shades of orange, pink, and maroon.
Lighthouses are no longer the critical infrastructure they once were. But this map celebrates their rich histories and the popular cultural and historical landmarks they’ve become.
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