Item 7490 - Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova, ca. 1635

Item 7490 - Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova, ca. 1635
Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Item 7490
Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova, ca. 1635
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A map of New Netherlands (Nova Belgica) and New England (Anglia Nova) from Penobscot Bay to the Chesapeake Bay, by Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu, was based on Adriaen Block's 1614 chart of the region.

Blaeu's circa 1635 map captured the allure of the "new world" for competing European powers (note references to New France, New England and New Netherlands). The wonders of the mythic "Norumbega" (mentioned at the lower right, along the Penobscot River) are depicted in the rich natural setting. The presence of animal illustrations, like moose, deer, bear, beaver, fox, otter, turkey, hare and egret, demonstrate the significance of natural resources to the European market, especially the fur trade.

This map's orientation to the west is confusing; only later in the 18th century would mapmakers adopt the convention of orienting to the north.

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