Billions of people have seen them. Millions use them on a daily basis. They're as recognized as Coke cans in virtually every developed urban area on the planet and they are among the most memorable cartographic items in the world. Maps, diagrams and plans of subways, metros, undergrounds and u-bahns have even become a mental substitute for genuine geographic layout or in some cases icons for the city itself. The London and New York maps, among others, have been adapted as works of art.

Transit Maps of the World is the first and only comprehensive collection of historic and contemporary system maps representing every rapid-transit system on earth.

Using glorious, colorful graphics, Ovenden traces the history of mass transit-including rare and historic maps, diagrams, and photographs, some available for the first time since their original publication. Transit Maps is the the transport enthusiast’s dream collection, and a coffee-table essential for everyone who loves maps or has ever travelled by rapid transit.