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Map of Africa from 1570

in Historical Maps
Ortelius' Cornerstone Map of Africa "Africae Tabula Nova", Ortelius, Abraham Period: 1570 (dated) Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Este impressionante mapa é um dos mapas fundamentais de África e continuou a ser o mapa padrão de África até ao século XVII. Foi concebido por Ortelius a partir de elementos de mapas contemporâneos de Gastaldi, Mercator e Forlani e utilizou várias fontes recentes: Ramusio em Navigationi et Viaggi (1550), João de Barros em Decadas da Ásia (1552), e Leo Africanus em Historiale description de l'Afrique (1556). A maior parte da nomenclatura é retirada de Gastaldi. O Nilo baseia-se no conceito ptolemaico, com origem em dois grandes lagos a sul do equador. Curiosamente, Ortelius não representou as Montanhas da Lua (uma caraterística proeminente na maioria dos mapas anteriores) e os lagos gémeos não são nomeados. Ortelius introduziu duas alterações importantes na forma do continente neste mapa; o Cabo da Boa Esperança é mais pontiagudo e a extensão do continente para leste foi significativamente reduzida. O mapa está decorado com uma cartela de título em cinta, uma grande batalha marítima (copiada do mapa mural das Américas de Diego Gutierez) e monstros marinhos. A presença do monstro fantasma é pouco visível no mar ao largo da península Arábica. Este belo mapa foi gravado por Frans Hogenberg, que gravou muitos dos mapas para o Theatrum. Este é o segundo estado do mapa com texto latino no verso, publicado em 1579.
This striking map is one of the cornerstone maps of Africa and remained the standard map of Africa well into the seventeenth century. It was designed by Ortelius from elements of contemporary maps by Gastaldi, Mercator, and Forlani and used several recent sources: Ramusio in Navigationi et Viaggi (1550), Joao de Barros in Decadas da Asia (1552), and Leo Africanus in Historiale description de l’Afrique (1556). The majority of the nomenclature is taken from Gastaldi. The Nile is based on the Ptolemaic concept, originating from two large lakes south of the equator. Curiously Ortelius did not represent the Mountains of the Moon (a prominent feature on most prior maps) and the twin lakes are not named. Ortelius introduced two important changes to the shape of the continent on this map; the Cape of Good Hope is more pointed, and the eastward extension of the continent was reduced significantly. The map is decorated with a strapwork title cartouche, a grand sea battle (copied from Diego Gutierez’ wall map of the Americas), and sea monsters. The presence of the ghost monster is barely visible in the sea off the Arabian peninsula. This beautiful map was engraved by Frans Hogenberg who engraved many of the maps for the Theatrum. This is the second state of the map with Latin text on verso, published in 1579. Ortelius’ Cornerstone Map of Africa – “Africae Tabula Nova”, Ortelius, Abraham – Period: 1570 (dated) – Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Historical Map of Africa from 1570

Ortelius’ Cornerstone Map of Africa
“Africae Tabula Nova”, Ortelius, Abraham
Period: 1570
Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

This striking map is one of the cornerstone maps of Africa and remained the standard map of Africa well into the seventeenth century.

It was designed by Ortelius from elements of contemporary maps by Gastaldi, Mercator, and Forlani and used several recent sources: Ramusio in Navigationi et Viaggi (1550), Joao de Barros in Decadas da Asia (1552), and Leo Africanus in Historiale description de l’Afrique (1556).

The majority of the nomenclature is taken from Gastaldi.

The Nile is based on the Ptolemaic concept, originating from two large lakes south of the equator. Curiously Ortelius did not represent the Mountains of the Moon (a prominent feature on most prior maps) and the twin lakes are not named. Ortelius introduced two important changes to the shape of the continent on this map; the Cape of Good Hope is more pointed, and the eastward extension of the continent was reduced significantly.

The map is decorated with a strapwork title cartouche, a grand sea battle (copied from Diego Gutierez’ wall map of the Americas), and sea monsters.

The presence of the ghost monster is barely visible in the sea off the Arabian peninsula. This beautiful map was engraved by Frans Hogenberg who engraved many of the maps for the Theatrum. This is the second state of the map with Latin text on verso, published in 1579.

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