Explore Wilem Jandzoon Blaeu's 17th Century Map of Andalusia

This map is part of a collection of 17th-century maps of Andalusia, created by the Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu. It is from the atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Sive Atlas Novus," published in 1635 in Amsterdam.

The Atlas Novus (or Atlas Maior, as later editions were known) is an atlas of the world, designed by Willem Blaeu and compiled by his son, Johannes Blaeu. It was not finished until 1665. The original version comprised 11 volumes in Latin and contained 594 maps. It was based on an earlier work by Abraham Ortelius, "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum," published in 1570.

It covers Andalusia, including the south of Extremadura, part of New Castile, and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is oriented north, as shown by the compass rose and a fleur-de-lis.

A cartouche drawn on the skin of a lion that is nailed to two columns gives the title in Latin: "Andaluzia continens Sevillam & Cordubam."

The border between Andalusia and the old kingdom of Granada is of particular note.

Populated areas are depicted in different ways, depending on their significance. The archiepiscopates, episcopates, and academies are also marked.

Local place names appear in Spanish, while the cartouche and other place names are in Latin.

Relief in the land is represented by profile drawings of hills.

The vegetation is also depicted in some areas.

The sea is decorated with ships of the period.

The scale of 1:1,150,000 is shown on a curtain held by two cherubs.