Final answer:
Ibn Battūtah's work differed from that of al-Idrīsī mainly because A. Ibn Battūtah personally traveled to the regions he documented, while al-Idrīsī relied on the reports of others for his cartographic work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work of Ibn Battūtah differed from that of al-Idrīsī in that A. Ibn Battūtah traveled to the places he wrote about, while al-Idrīsī was known for creating detailed maps and geographic works based on the information from other explorers.
Ibn Battūtah is renowned for his extensive travels through the Muslim world and beyond, which he meticulously documented in his travel memoirs. These memoirs provide valuable insights into the societies and cultures of the 14th century, as his travels spanned an impressive array of regions including North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia up to China.
In contrast, al-Idrīsī did not personally travel as extensively but contributed significantly with his own cartographic works.