Chart of the World on Mercator’s Projection

Simplified world map showing exaggerated geographic features.

By 1820, when this map was published, the majority of the world was known and the poles represented the last great bastion of geographic mystery on the planet. There remained hope that, somewhere within the Arctic Circle, a navigable Northeast or Northwest Passage remained undiscovered.

Such possibilities are clearly presented on this map, which shows a relatively small strip of land separating Baffin Bay and the Northern Ocean. Above Russia, the Nova Zemyla peninsula is featured prominently – it was the temporary home of Willem Barentsz during his explorations of the 16th century. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that the western shore was mapped during an expedition that began the year following publication.

Other items of interest within the image include the fictitious River of the West flowing into Nootka Sound, an update to Africa’s river systems reflecting the explorations of Mungo Park, the location of Cook’s death in Hawaii, and the outdated connection between Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) and New Holland (Australia).

Published in Philadelphia in 1820 by Benjamin Warner and Matthew Carey, for inclusion in A General Atlas: Being a Collection of Maps of the World and Quarters…