This presentation, inspired by the question: what can we learn from maps?, examines and critiques the current position of maps and map reading in society. Map literacy has steadily declined over the past few decades. With the growing prevalence of versatile simplified maps on smartphones, we can expect map literacy to continue to decline as people continue to depend on singular mapping apps. Through reviewing the impacts of important historical maps, this presentation explores the enlightening information which can be communicated by maps but is often absent in smartphone apps.