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Gerardus Mercator, a renowned 16th-century Flemish cartographer, holds the distinction of introducing the term "atlas" to describe a collection of maps bound together in book form. This groundbreaking concept revolutionized mapmaking and provided a more comprehensive and organized way to present geographical information. Mercator's innovation paved the way for the modern atlases we use today, serving as indispensable tools for navigation, exploration, and understanding our world.