Isle de Cayenne

A late 17th-century view of the capital of French Guiana.

This richly detailed scene presents an illustrated overview of the island of Cayenne, situated off the coast of French Guiana. It is home to the capital city of the same name. Numerous geographic features are depicted and labeled, in addition to Fort Louis and Fort Ceperoux.

The map was published in Paris in 1683 as part of Alain Manesson Mallet’s “Description de l’Univers.” At the time, the South American island was profitable for exports of sugar, pepper, and hardwood collected by a large local slave population. It changed hands between the Dutch, British, and French several times during the 17th and 18th centuries – perhaps the adjacent naval battle reflects this military and economic competition.