1635 Americae Pars Meridionalis

By: Joannis Jansson Date: 1635 (circa) Amsterdam Dimensions: 18 x 21.5 inches This iconic 17th-century map of South America offers intriguing detail with vignettes of native peoples, and animals, as well as false lakes and cities of gold supported by European cartographic knowledge of the era. The map features not only the work of Jansson, but that of Hendrik Hondius and Gerard Mercator as well. As a result of extensive Portuguese and Spanish explorations, the map presents remarkable detail around the coastlines of South America, with cities and ports all named. However However, the interior had not been explored to the same extent and is filled with considerable spurious information, and in those places where little or nothing was known. Vignettes stand out where geography is lacking, including one of a Conquistador standing beside giants rumored to inhabit the interior of Patagonia. Several rivers, including the Amazon and Paraguay, all have their source in the Lago de los Xarayes. T