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| Martin Waldseemüller, in 1507, published the first map to name the New World "America", in acknowledgement of explorer Amerigo Vespucci's discoveries. But by 1513 Waldseemüller had recognised the real importance of Christopher Columbus, although in a sense it was too late, as "America" had now become the popular name for the New World. This "modern" world map from his 1513 atlas has been extended southwards and westwards in order to show the discoveries in Africa and the New World. It is often called 'The Admiral's Map' in view of comments made by Waldseemüller in the text (which accompanied his atlas) suggesting that information for the mapping of the New World had been supplied by Christopher Columbus. The New World is derived from early Portuguese Sea charts and shows not only Columbus' discoveries but also those of Pedro Alvares Cabral. What makes Waldseemüller's map so visually appealing is its use of criss-crossing compass lines as a compositional device to unite the new discoveries with the familiar geography of the ancients. |
