1825-1827 Amer. Mer. No. 26. Partie De La Plata.

This antique map of what is now Argentina depicts a portion of the drainage basin of the great De La Plata river system in South America, the second largest of the continent. Some of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams now operate in the river’s drainage system. Major and minor river systems are well depicted, and many place names dot the map. Mountain ranges are shown in hachure.  The maps’ most distinguishing qualities include the use of the same scale and projection for each map. The consistent nature of these elements allowed said maps to be joined together to form a huge globe measuring over 25 feet in diameter.  About Philippe Marie Vandermaelen Born to a wealthy family, Vandermaelen was more interested in cartography than in his father’s business, and was obsessed with maps from a young age. He taught himself mathematics, astronomy, and mapmaking and even plotted the battles of the Napoleonic wars on his own. He made a mark for himself by publishing the first lithographic atl