Maps reflected the views of the people of their world, including stereotypes, values and attitudes. They served the interests of the church, in particular, by reinforcing beliefs in the strange habits and characteristics of foreign nations and thus further reinforcing the borders between different religions.

It is said that Gustaf Vasa was very fond of maps. His interest was primarily based on their visual beauty and the prestige of being the owner of such valuable possessions. It was only the later rulers of the House of Vasa who saw how maps could serve as tools for ruling over the realm.

Most of the king's subjects could not read, yet images on the map could convey ideas designed to promote the concept of a unified realm. The map completed by Anders Bure in 1626 depicts Sweden as a huge land, while its ancient neighbour and enemy Denmark looks tiny in comparison.

Land register maps offered a three-dimensional view of the realm. You can almost see the branches sway with the wind and the water flow down the rapids.

Of all the crown's officials, surveyors were the ones who had the most informed understanding of how matters stood in the realm – of a reality that was sometimes far removed from the ruler's perspective. In the 16th and 17th centuries Swedish kings gradually developed an interest in the actual state of affairs in their realm.

Anders Bure began a task that would outline the surveyor's work for centuries into the future: an investigation into the natural resources, trade routes, settlements and farmland in the realm. Surveyors became explorers charged with tasks such as locating natural resources. This gave rise to the land register maps, which contained information of the riches of the realm as well as its cultural characteristics.

Rulers used the information provided by surveyors for making decisions, whether the matter at hand was related to agriculture, forestry, trade or the road network. The question of population growth and allotment of land was a particularly important issue. Several land reforms were carried out in an attempt to resolve this issue, the last one occurring in the early 20th century.

Land surveyors would spend the entire winter decorating their maps. The high point of the surveyor’s skill, compass roses were often highly ornate and decorative.

In the 16th and 17th century, mapmakers strove to represent information as accurately as possible on the map. The crown desired information concerning its defensive force – the population – and taxation opportunities. Information was also collected across the borders with an eye to potential expansion.

Maps became carefully-guarded national secrets, the loss of which to the enemy was feared as a heavy blow. As maps had value for defence purposes, they – and their makers – were at risk in times of war. In the 18th century the crown had difficulties in finding surveyors willing to travel to Finland since the eastern part of the Swedish realm was plagued by wars and the work was dangerous.

The maps of Karelia preserved in Finland included this map of Terijoki from 1930.

In the second half of the 19th century, Russia initiated a major economic and social reform. The construction of a new infrastructure required more accurate information about the land. The accuracy of maps representing the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland also improved.

The work also acquired further dimensions. Map information became a resource which enabled the creation of maps according to a particular theme, such as maps depicting economic, natural, cultural or social conditions.

The value of maps is illustrated by the order issued by the Allied Control Commission after the Continuation War (1941-1944). According to the order all maps of Karelia were to be handed over to the Soviet Union. The train transporting the maps to Russia consisted of 40 goods wagons.

A few maps of the ceded areas remained in Finland, however, hidden in dusty archives or in one instance, in the attic of a sauna. Digitised a few years ago, these maps offer researchers and other interested parties a glimpse of the province of Karelia in the 1940s.

The first women cartographers joined the Board of Land Survey at the beginning of the 20th century. Even earlier maps may show the hand of a surveyor’s wife, since the entire family was often involved in the work.

Advances made in land surveying technology led to the military administration of the National Land Survey being replaced by land survey professionals versed in the latest technologies in the fields of land survey and cartography.

Maps became available to a wider audience and were adopted for everyday purposes. Today, many people carry map information in the form of mobile phone navigation features, and GPS navigators fitted onto the dashboards of cars guide drivers to their destination.

In the 21st century cartography is based on data warehouses, which allow information to be tailored and presented as precisely as possible. The topographic database completed in 2007 represents an important milestone in the development of the accuracy of mapped information.

Today, the most important feature of a map is information that is up to date, reliable and objective. Anyone can obtain an individually-tailored map of their favourite patch of wood, jogging route or holiday cottage and its surroundings.