The Americas, 1836.
Look at North America on this map. Considering this was made 175 years ago and that the world is 6 billion years old, it's obvious that the velocity of progress seen on Earth is staggering. Even more amazing: someone sat down and compiled data and firmly believed when they were creating this map that what they were drawing was fact. And even more people at the time looked at this and functioned as if it was, too.
I do love old maps like these because looking at them is a reminder that even when you think you know something enough to commit to it and present it as fact, you always have to be open to learn and stand corrected when faced with new information.
I must say I'm into the pretty funky shape of North America on that map above.
