America by Ortelius, 1570

This is perhaps the most famous map of America published in the sixteenth century. It gives a good idea of the Atlantic coast of Canada and the St. Lawrence Valley.

Ortelius produced the first atlas in history, although the word "atlas" was not used in this way until Mercator first did so in 1595.

Catalogue entry:
Ortelius, Abraham, 1527-1598.
Americae sive novi orbis, nova descriptio. — Scale [ca. 1:42 500 000 at equator]. — [Antwerpiae : Ortelius, 1570]. — 1 map : hand col. ; 36 x 48 cm, on sheet 41 x 54 cm. — Plate 1, state 2. — From atlas: Ortelius, Abraham, 1527-1598. Theatrum orbis terrarum. [1570]. —

Ref. No.: NMC 027720