What sources did al-Idrisi consult to create his collection of maps?

• A. Arabic and Greek maps, and interviews with travelers
• B. Latin maps and travelers' diaries
• C. Arabic maps, Greek maps, and interviews with travelers
• D. Latin maps and Persian charts

Answer: (C)

Al-Idrisi built his atlas from a blend of established map traditions and fresh, on-the-ground information. He drew on the Islamic world’s Arabic maps and geographic writings, then incorporated Greek geographic ideas and, where available, Greek maps that had been transmitted and studied in the medieval Islamic world. To capture details about distant lands, he also used reports gathered from travelers and their accounts. This combination—Arabic maps, Greek maps, and interviews with travelers—is what produced his comprehensive collection of maps. The other options miss one or more of these essential sources.