Map of the Bay of Biscay

Map of the Bay of Biscay, made in 1583. It represents the Oceanus Hispanicus/Mare Hispanicus, or Cantabrian Sea, from the French coast to the town of Castro Urdiales on the Cantabrian coast in Spain. It charts the main rivers, towns, and ports along the coast. This map is unique as it includes depictions of whales and is also drawn from the sea, inland. So the coast appears at the top of the map, and the sea at the bottom. The Bay of Biscay and the Cantabrian Sea would become commercial hubs for Biscay and Gipuzkoa to trade with northern Europe, America, or the Mediterranean.