If you know anything about the history of jigsaw puzzles, you probably know that the very first puzzles were actually made from cut-up maps. Mapmakers would mount their maps to pieces of wood and cut them into pieces representing each country. The resulting puzzles were then used as a tool for teaching geography.

Your Own Custom Map Puzzle

A fantastic way to honor the history of puzzles (as well as your own puzzle obsession) is to have a custom puzzle made using a map of your own! There are puzzle makers out there who can take a map image--of your home country, state, or town--and can cut it and make it into your very own personalized jigsaw puzzle!

Maps have always been a great subject for jigsaw puzzles. Their complex design adds to the challenge of the puzzle, but the words and borders also gives you distinct clues when you're putting the puzzle together. So what could be more fun than having a puzzle made from a map of your own local area?

Another great thing about map puzzles is that they're perfect for displaying once you've finished putting the puzzle together. This is particularly true if you get a wooden puzzle. Wooden puzzles are much more durable, and tend to be a lot flatter than cardboard puzzles, so they are much better for mounting.