Map of South America published in 1619

Excellent folio map of the continent, added by Jodocus Hondius for publication in his continuation of the Mercator Atlas.

The interior shows the great mythical Parime Lacus straddling the equator and an equally interesting river system.

The huge Rio de la Plata flows south of the presumed Eupana Lacus in Brazil, while the R. Grande flows north of the same lake to join the Amazon. The Strait of Magellan is shown, but Tierra del Fuego is part of the great southern continent.

The map is beautifully engraved with a pattern of ocean waves filled with ships, sea monsters and a native canoe.

The continent is flanked by two elaborate cartouches; a title to the right and a large internal plan of Cuzco, which is incorporated into the distance scale cartouche to the left. In the centre is an Indian with bow and arrow. “America Meridionalis, Hondius, Jodocus

Map of South America 1619 – Historical Maps of Brazil