Final answer:
Maps were strategically important for navigation, trade, and the assertion of political control during the Age of Exploration. They shaped global interactions, despite often being inaccurate, by establishing and cementing geopolitical dynamics which still have remnants in the modern era.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maps were seen as strategically useful in an age of cross-cultural contact because they represented the disparate parts of the world being brought into contact and interaction. During the Age of Exploration, maps not only helped in navigation but also played a pivotal role in geopolitical strategies such as the division of territories by colonial powers like Spain and Portugal. With maps, voyages of exploration captured the immensity of the earth, establishing connections between regions and peoples, thereby shaping global politics, culture, and trade. Inaccuracies notwithstanding, such as Europe being depicted larger than its actual size or the Global South being minimized, maps were a crucial tool for navigating the world and asserting control over new territories.
Cartography progressed as a field out of these necessities, and scientific advancements, such as the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), have made maps even more vital in illustrating relationships and processes of the world, helping us understand changes over time. Tools like topographic maps and GPS play significant roles in both understanding and preserving the past, such as documenting historic sites and traditional landscapes.