It is often said that history is written by the victors, but it is equally true that tales and legends are passed down through generations by those who believe in them. From ancient mythologies to regional folktales, many geographical stories have been woven into the fabric of our cultures and have been accepted as fact over the years. However, upon closer examination, many of these popular tales do not hold up to scrutiny.

One such example is the famous tale of Atlantis, a mythical island that was believed to have existed over 11,000 years ago. The story, first mentioned by Plato in his dialogues, tells of an advanced civilization that was destroyed by a catastrophic event, sinking the entire island into the ocean. While the tale of Atlantis has captured the imaginations of countless generations, there is no solid evidence to support its existence. Despite numerous expeditions and archaeological digs, no trace of the legendary island has ever been found, leaving the story to remain just that – a story.

Another geographical legend that has been passed down through the years is the existence of a lost city in the Amazon rainforest, known as El Dorado. The legend of El Dorado, or the golden city, is said to have originated from the Muisca people of Colombia, who believed in a ruler who covered himself in gold dust and then jumped into a sacred lake as part of a ritual. This led to the belief that there was a city made entirely of gold somewhere in the Amazon. While explorers searched tirelessly for El Dorado, no evidence of this mythical city has ever been found. It is now believed that the story was simply a metaphor for the Muisca’s strong affinity with gold and not an actual lost city.

Closer to home, many of us have grown up hearing about the Great Wall of China being visible from space. This popular belief originated in the 1930s, when a group of British authors wrote a book claiming that the wall was the only human-made structure visible from the moon. However, as technology advanced and astronauts were able to take photographs of the Earth from space, it was revealed that the Great Wall is not visible from orbit. In fact, it is difficult to spot even from a low orbit due to its color and texture blending in with the surrounding landscape.

The idea that the Earth is flat is a belief that has existed for thousands of years, with many ancient civilizations picturing the world as a flat disc. However, with scientific advancements and countless journeys around the globe, it has been proven without a doubt that the Earth is, in fact, round. Despite this evidence, there are still people who hold on to this myth, believing that the theory of a spherical Earth is a conspiracy by governments and scientists.

It is important to note that these geographical tales are not meant to deceive or mislead us. They are often a product of their time and were created to explain the world around us. However, as we advance in our knowledge and understanding of the world, it is crucial to question and seek evidence for the stories that have been passed down to us.

Today, with access to vast amounts of information and resources, it is easier than ever to fact-check and debunk popular geographical tales. Instead of blindly accepting these stories as fact, we should do our due diligence to separate fact from fiction. While these myths and legends may add charm and intrigue to our cultural identities, let us not forget the importance of seeking truth and accuracy in our understanding of the world. After all, knowledge is the key to unraveling all fables.