Next in our series of early maps of Africa is this detailed masterpiece from 1570. It is taken from Orteliuss Theatrum orbis terrarum, one of the worlds first atlases. On this map, in contrast to the one we featured last week, the continent is starting to look like its real shape. Despite several inaccuracies, such as the depiction of the Zanzibar coast at the west side of the continent and the linking together of the Niger and Senegal rivers, numerous place names of cities and settlements are presented correctly. Beautifully designed and engraved, the map represents a high mark of 16th-century mapmaking. Find a full size copy of the map here: buff.ly/PPtKiK
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:01:58 +0000
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