Hedin, Sven Anders, << heh DEEN, svehn AHN durs >> (1865-1952), a Swedish explorer, provided the first maps and information about areas in central Asia. He led expeditions in Persia, Turkestan, Tibet, China, and Mongolia.
During his early travels, Hedin unearthed ancient cities in Turkestan deserts and the Lop Nor basin of Western China. In 1893, he began a three-year trip over the Pamir, a mountainous plateau in central Asia, and the plateaus of Tibet.
Hedin explored the high sources of the Brahmaputra River in the early 1900’s, locating mountains and waters never before known. In 1927, he led an expedition through central Asia. In 1933, he mapped the ancient silk trade route that extended about 5,000 miles (8,050 kilometers) from Asia to Europe.
Hedin was born in Stockholm. He wrote over 30 books, including Through Asia (1898), Overland to India (1910), and The Silk Road (1936).
