1640 Guiana Sive Amazonum Regio
DESCRIPTION
This authentic antique map depicts Guiana and part of the Amazon region of South America and was published in Amsterdam by Willem Janszoon Blaeu circa 1640.
It presents the northern Atlantic coastline of the continent and extends far inland, encompassing major river systems, mountain ranges, and the forested interior of Guiana. The map also includes the islands of Trinidad, Tobago, and Granada, highlighting the strategic and navigational importance of the region to early European powers.
Lake Parime and the Legend of the Golden City of El Dorado
A striking and historically significant feature of the map is the prominent depiction of Parime Lacus, shown just above the distance scale. On its western shore lies the legendary city of Manoa, better known as El Dorado. From the time of the Spanish conquistadors, Europeans believed this immense inland lake concealed a city of unimaginable wealth, described in legend as so rich in gold that its ruler would cover himself in gold dust and bathe in the lake, leaving its bottom composed of pure gold. This myth captivated explorers and mapmakers alike and appeared consistently on maps of the region for centuries.
Numerous expeditions were launched in search of this lost city, yet none succeeded. The legend persisted well into the twentieth century, culminating in the 1925 expedition of Percy Fawcett, who vanished with his son while searching the Amazon for what he termed the lost city of “Z.” Although Parime Lacus is now believed to have dried up roughly seven centuries ago, seasonal flooding in the Guiana highlands may have inspired the original accounts. Modern archaeological and satellite discoveries revealing extensive ancient earthworks beneath the rainforest canopy have renewed interest in the possibility that the legend was rooted in a real, complex inland civilization.
Decorative Elements and Cartographic Style
The map is richly embellished with a large compass rose, sailing ships including a dramatic naval engagement, a sea monster, and an ornate title cartouche, all characteristic of Blaeu’s elegant Dutch engraving style. Contemporary hand coloring enhances both the geographic detail and decorative flourishes. Issued with a blank verso, this example was likely intended for separate sale or inclusion in a composite atlas, making it a visually impressive and historically resonant example of seventeenth-century South American cartography.
CONDITION
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