1635 Guinea, Africa

GVINEA, Willem Jansz. Blaeu (1635)This map of the West-African Gold Coast was published in 1635 by Willem Jansz. Blaeu ( c. 1571-1638). Blaeu did not succeed in providing an accurate map of the area. The coast of Guinee is the only topographical detail that has been accurately represented, thanks to continuous visits from European traders and adventurers looking for gold, slaves and ivory sold by the local people since the 16th century. The inlands were not explored by the Europeans, these stayed "terra incognita" until far into the 19th century. Blaeu filled these unknown areas on the maps with pictures of elephants, lions and baboons.