Eastern hemisphere

This map of the eastern hemisphere may be based on a 1648 map produced by the renowned Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu. Important trading regions such as Europe, Africa, India and Asia are shown in detail. Less was known about the region around Australia. Abel Tasman had sailed past the coast of Australia in 1642-44 and the parts of it that he charted are included both in Blaeu’s 1648 map and in the one inlaid in this marble floor.

Additional information:
By 1742 the original floor was showing wear and tear and an astronomy teacher called Martinus Martens was commissioned to produce a new map. He probably looked at the latest French maps, adding the changes they showed, especially in Africa, to the original map. The new map was not inlaid in the floor until the 1950s.