Today we rely mainly on digital maps to find our way around, but the art of charting the world has taken many forms over the centuries that go beyond paper—often to stunning results that we can still see today.

In ancient times charts were drawn on cave walls or tablets because they were easily accessible and practical. Later, cartographers worked with innovative materials such as glass, trees, or urban streets to create a unique experience for the user, or to add a new dimension and perspective to the subject being mapped. The out-of-the-box maps at these 13 locations display not only the geography of the regions they portray, but also the beauty of cartography itself.