Different from ancient maps, historical maps are a review of history by contemporary people, which contains the views of the new era. With the passage of time, historical maps will also become ancient maps. For example, the eight-volume Atlas of Chinese History, which was re-edited and published in the 1970s in China, is based on the maps of past dynasties compiled by Yang Shoujing in the Qing Dynasty, and takes the territory of New China as the base map, thus embodying the characteristics of the times. Historical map shows the spatial pattern of history, so it is a tool to study the law of movement, aiming at providing reference for contemporary development and construction, so as to foster strengths and avoid weaknesses. For example, from the historical change map of the Yellow River, we can find the migration law of the river and its relationship with natural conditions and social environment, which provides valuable historical basis for harnessing the Yellow River.