In general, maps serve to impart knowledge, act as orientation aids in the terrain, are contemporary witnesses, and often also works of art. They document current and historical conditions of topographical and thematic content of any kind. The Geoscientific Map Collection of the Institute of Geography is a teaching collection comprising over 33,000 inventoried maps, atlases, travel and specialist literature, and explanatory notes. The majority of the objects (approx. 26,900) are recorded electronically, can be accessed internally in a database, or are also available online. The premises of the collection can be visited by appointment or during the opening hours of the collection.