Looking into the history of the objects and phenomena under study is necessary forboth the enrichment of any research and, accordingly, for the presentation of its results on maps. In addition, historical maps can be useful for studying those methods of mapping that were practiced before, and which can be used nowadays. There is an obvious need to pay more attention to historical maps in the process of training students in thematic mapping so that they get basic ideas about the principles and methods of compiling, designing old maps, and learn to understand the content and capabilities of using them in scientific and practical work. Geohistorical approach is interesting in studying various aspects of natural and socio-economic phenomena. The article deals with issues related to displaying the opportunities of using old and antique thematic maps at training cartography students at Geography Faculty of Moscow State University.