@RX-79G, yes but countries of lower technological progress are not likely to be right next to a country of higher technological progress, unless there is something specific hampering the natural spread of development. Could you imagine modern-day France being an absolutist monarchy from the 17th century where everything is still done with horse and cart when right next doors people are getting on trains in Germany?
@anthorn Now, I'm not saying it's impossible, but it would need a good reason. Something like the Iron Curtain could work as an example, if the monarch is trying to keep his people out of the know, because he would otherwise lose power etcetera, etcetera. Give it a good reason, and you can make almost anything work.
I make a lot of my own maps. I draw them a lot, but that is also because I just draw in general. I don't draw maps for the sake of having maps, but for the sake of drawing something I enjoy. Besides that, I also enjoy just creating new cultures, for which a map is really helpful to me.
I'm not too bothered by maps in fantasy novels. I don't really mind if the map has no real bearing on the story, though I appreciate it more if it does have that. The thing that irks me is that most maps are too... neat. They're never wonky. They always seem to be an accurate representation of the world. A map would be more interesting to me if it was less accurate, if that makes sense. If it were to become a lens through which the characters might see the world, rather than a bit of extra fluff (Look at Jerusalem on some medieval European maps, for example).
I like accurate maps in an atlas, but in a novel I would prefer a more storied map.