Carte pour Servir a L’Historie Philosphique et Politique

Fascinating map of the Eastern Hemisphere created by Rigobert Bonne.

This interesting map of the world covers nearly the entire contential landmasses of Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Interior details are relatively sparse apart from rivers, scattered place names, pictorial topography and a few notable points of interest such as the Great Wall of China and various trade routes.

Within the water, trade winds and currents (including seasonal variations) are noted, along with a handful of navigational hazards like reefs or shoals. Incomplete coastlines along New Guinea and north of Japan reflect ongoing patterns of exploration, and an inset map in the lower center provides further detail on the southern tip of India and Ceylon.

The map was designed by Rigobert Bonne for inclusion in Abbe Raynal’s Histoire philosophique et politique des établissements et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes. It was intended to provide a simple cartographic overview from which the audience could better understand the economic interactions across the region.