First compass

According to Official Guinness Records,

The Chinese invented the first compass as early as the 3rd Century BC and subsequently developed the first magnetic compass in the 11th Century AD—using Lodestone. The introduction of magnetic compasses amounted to a cartographical revolution—literally changing the “direction” of mapmaking.--making it possible to create maps based on direct observation using an instrument.

For a complete list of 1000 records, please visit 1000 Guinness Records in China.

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• First extant Chinese map
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