Willem Blaeu Aethiopia inferior vel exterior This map of Southern Africa is a valued addition to any

This map of Southern Africa is a valued addition to any collection of historical maps of the region. While there are numerous maps that closely resemble the Blaue edition, most are reaily distinguished. However, the Janssonius map is very similar and both were popular throughout the 17th century.

Blaeu's map is modelled on the ancient geography of Ptolemy. The lake out of which the 'Zambere' (i.e Zambesi) flows is probably based on reports of Lake Ngami, which remained undiscovered  by Europeans until 1849; then 20 miles long, today it is only marshland. Europeans had quite good knowledge of the African coast but knew very little about the interior of Africa. This ignorance explains in part why it is filled with animals, although few are accurate representations of indigenous animals.

Willem Jansz. Blaeu c. 1570–1638) was a leading Dutch cartographer and publisher.  He died in 1638 and, therefore, most of his maps were published by his son, Joan who, together with his sons, managed one of the largest printing houses in Europe.

Reference: Norwich #154; Tooley p. 29.