How did Europeans view the world prior to the age of exploration?

Prior to the Age of Exploration, Europeans had a limited and largely Eurocentric view of the world, primarily shaped by medieval beliefs and the influence of the Church. They perceived the known world as consisting mainly of Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa, often depicted on maps as a small segment of the larger unknown. This worldview was characterized by a mix of myth and reality, with many regions beyond Europe viewed as mysterious or dangerous. The fall of Constantinople and the rise of trade routes later spurred curiOSity about distant lands, paving the way for exploration.