Urbano Monte’s 1587 world map is a series of 60 manuscript sheets designed to be assembled into a large world map, which would be, at 10 feet square, the largest early world map known to exist.¹ The map was meant to be stuck on a wooden panel 5 and a half brachia square (about ten feet) so that it could be revolved around a central pivot or pin through the north pole.²
Monte wanted to show the entire earth as close as possible to a three-dimensional sphere using a two-dimensional surface. His projection does just that, notwithstanding the distortions around the south pole.
Those same distortions exist in the Mercator’s world map, and by their outsized prominence on Monte’s map they gave him a vast area to indulge in all the speculations about Antarctica that proliferated in geographical descriptions in the 16th century. While Mercator’s projection became standard in years to come due to its ability to accurately measure distance and bearing, Monte’s polar projection gave a better view of the relationships of the continents and oceans.³
Reference
(1) Urbano Monte’s 1587 World Map, Digitally Assembled. https://www.maproomblog.com/2018/01/urbano-montes-1587-world-map-digitally-assembled/.
(2) Explore the Largest Known Early Map of the World … – Hyperallergic. https://hyperallergic.com/420690/urbano-monte-world-map-1544/.
(3) Urbano Monte’s World Maps: Sources and Development – Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/43492836/Urbano_Montes_World_Maps_Sources_and_Development.
Latest Posts
- Presidential Debate Highlights: Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden |
- China dams release water, submerging more cities and flooding more streets |
- Terror attack in Dagestan, Russia kills police, priest and destroyed churches and synagogues |
- Why is Jesus an “Archangel”, not God Almighty himself? |
- Terrorist weapon supplier killed in Lebanon strike, Israel reports |
Jason Jeth Newshub 