Foederatae Belgicae Tabula

Gorgeous map of the United Provinces, or Dutch Republic, by de Wit.

This detailed 17th century copperplate engraved map shows the Dutch Republic, or the United Provinces of the Netherlands; an independent entity since the Dutch Revolt of 1588. The map was published in Amsterdam by Frederick de Wit nearly 100 years later, and shows the fledgling republic sandwiched between the Spanish Netherlands to the south, and the Holy Roman Empire to the east.

Geographic details like rugged terrain, forests, cities, lowlands, maritime hazards and rivers are depicted pictorially, and attractive hand color has been applied to differentiate between the various provinces. An inset map in the lower right shows a continuation of the River Meuse to Maastricht, which lies on the border with modern day Belgium. A decorative cartouche in the upper left corner completes the image and features the coat of arms of the Dutch Republic and several figures representing the military, maritime, and commercial strength of the nation.