How did early peoples represent geographical information without formal maps?

Early peoples represented geographical information through various means. They used natural landmarks such as rivers, mountain ranges, and prominent trees for orientation. For more complex representations, they created 'mental maps' which were often depicted through simple drawings on natural materials like bark or animal skins. The text also mentions that some cultures, like the Eskimos, created relief maps using local materials like sand and stones to represent coastlines, hills, and other geographical features.