Who was the explorer that completed the first map of the North Dakota region?

David Thompson is known for completing the first comprehensive map of the North Dakota region. His work was crucial because it provided detailed information about the geography, rivers, and landscapes of the area during a time when many parts of North Dakota were still largely unexplored and undocumented. Thompson, a skilled cartographer and fur trader, meticulously recorded the topography and waterways, which were vital for future exploration and settlement.

His mapping efforts occurred during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, an era marked by significant exploration in the North American continent. Thompson's contributions not only enhanced navigation and travel but also served as a valuable resource for fur trade and establishing routes for settlers.

In contrast, while figures like William Clark and Meriwether Lewis were pivotal in early American exploration—particularly in the context of the Lewis and Clark Expedition—they did not create the first maps of the North Dakota territory specifically. William Henry Ashley was engaged in the fur trade and played a role in the exploration of the western territories, but his contributions did not include mapping North Dakota in the detailed manner that Thompson achieved.