Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1587
This is one of the most famous maps of the Americas, and one that had an enormous influence on the future cartography of the New World.
It was engraved by Frans Hogenberg and is based largely on Gerard Mercator’s large multi-sheet world map of 1569.
The map shows an exaggerated extension of the North American continent, with the long St Lawrence River crossing the continent to almost meet the fictitious Tiguas River flowing westwards.
The strategically placed title card hides the unknown South Pacific and thus most of the supposed great southern continent, which is shown attached to New Guinea and Tierra del Fuego.
This is the third plate of the Americas used by Ortelius, as evidenced by the removal of the bulge on the south-west coast of South America and the addition of a cartouche in North America. Also on this plate, the Solomon Islands are mentioned for the first time since their discovery in 1568, and the names California, R. de los estrechos and C. Mendocino are added to the west coast of North America.
The native name Wingandekoa was added to the east coast, derived from an unsuccessful attempt by the English to colonise the Outer Banks – “Americae sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio”, Ortelius, Abraham.
Map of the Western Hemisphere from 1587 – Historical Map
