In the second century CE, the Roman Empire was at its zenith, boasting some 55 million inhabitants and stretching from the eastern Mediterranean basin to Great Britain. This vast territory covered more than four million square kilometers. Goods, people, knowledge, beliefs, and even epidemics circulated. This was all done through a complex network of roads connecting farms, villages, and cities, allowing emperors to maintain control of the empire.

Digital maps, whether on a computer before leaving or on a mobile phone as we arrive at our destination or once we're there, have replaced not only paper maps but also travel guides. Google Maps It's the most popular option: more than 2 billion people use it every month. Below, we'll review the app's basic and more advanced features, as well as some alternatives that might be useful during your vacation, if you're traveling.

This Monday, when the power outage brought the entire country to a standstill, one of the most direct consequences was widespread mobility chaos. With no subway or trains and few taxis, which could only be paid for in cash, the only options left for getting around the cities were two: walking or taking the bus. However, the inability to use a cell phone created a new problem. "I could take the bus, but in the end I walk because without Google Maps I don't know how to get anywhere and I don't know how to check which bus to take," a girl in Barcelona's Plaza Catalunya admitted with some embarrassment.