Tourism Guide to the North-East and Brazil — Bahia, Salvador and More | Bahia.ws

Travel guides for Bahia, Alagoas, Ceará and the whole of the North-East of Brazil: beaches, ready-made itineraries, culture and accommodation tips. Get inspired and plan your trip.

1587 Historical Map of the Western Hemisphere

in Historical Maps of Brazil and the World
Mapa do Hemisfério Ocidental de 1587
Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1587 – This is one of the most famous maps of the Americas and had a huge influence on future cartography of the New World. Engraved by Frans Hogenberg, it 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, 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

Willy Sievert

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 26/02/2023 · Updated on 06/05/2026

Publicações Relacionadas

All Saints Bay Map of 1644 - Historical Map

1666 Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean - Historical Map

Map of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Southern United States, 1682

Painting of the Three Kings Fort in Natal from 1647

1579 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map

Map of Brazil from 1630: Cartography's Legacy

1638 Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean - Historical Map

1730 Historical Map of the Western Hemisphere

Engraving of Todos os Santos Bay from 1671 Explained

1575 Map of Europe - Historical Map

Map of Recife in Pernambuco from 1679: Historical Insights

1694 Map of South America - Historical Map

1730 Map of Northern South America - Historical Map

Map of Brazil 1747 - Historical Maps of Brazil

Map of Brazil 1698 - Historical Maps of Brazil

Map of Paraíba of 1690 - Historical Maps of Brazil

Engraving of Salvador de Bahia from 1770 - Historical Maps

1671 Map of Jamaica

1607 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map

1697 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map

Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean from 1650-80

1628 Historical Map of the Western Hemisphere

Map of Brasil from 1757: Historic Coastal Views

1620 Map of Portugal and Spain - Historical Map

Map of South America from 1750 - Historical Maps of Brazil

1638 Map of South America - Historical Map

Engraving of Fort Nassau in Pernambuco, 1671

Southeastern Colonial Map of the United States, Bahamas and Greater Antilles, 1706

Map of the Captaincy of Pernambuco and Ceará from 1680

Map of the Bay of All Saints and Pernambuco, 1700

Map of Europe from 1644: A Classic Antique

Map of Brazil from 1750 - Historical Map of Brazil

Map of South America from 1619: A Historical Insight

Map of the Captaincy of Espírito Santo and Porto Seguro from 1698

1609 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map

Copper Engraving of Salvador from 1748: History Explored

This post is also on: Português English Deutsch Español Français