1697 Map of the Western Hemisphere

This sumptuous map of the Americas features a dramatically decorative title cartouche depicting an Amazon queen surrounded by riches, a sugar cane field and exotic animals. Inserted in the cartouche is a small map of the coast of New Zealand.

The cartography of North America includes all five Great Lakes and the island of California on the Foxe model, with two jagged bays on the north coast and a series of false islands off the tip of California.

Above California is a huge landmass called Terra Esonis, which stretches almost to Japan and Yedso.

The Mississippi begins to take shape with the appearance of the R. Massourite (Missouri).

Sanson’s R. del Norte was revised here to have two branches, one flowing properly into the Gulf of Mexico and the other flowing into the sea between the mainland and the island of California (Mare Vermio cum Mare Rubrum).

Curiously, the Apache region of Novajo has moved considerably north, where an unnamed river flows west to the headwaters of the Mare Vermio. In South America, the mythical Lake Parime is no longer shown, and the major river systems begin to take shape.

Portuguese capitals are outlined along the coast of Brazil.

Several islands are shown in the Pacific, including a coast near Australia called Quiri Regio. This is the second state on the map after Burden.

1697 Map of the Western Hemisphere – Historical Map