1640 Peru
DESCRIPTION
An iconic 17th-century map of the western portion of South America, focusing on the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru and its Pacific coastline during the height of colonial power. Published in Amsterdam by Willem Janszoon Blaeu circa 1640, it presents Peru as both a geographic and administrative center of Spanish rule, extending from the equatorial regions in the north through the arid coasts bordering Chile to the south.
Geography, Peoples, and Inland Detail
The Andes Mountains form the dominant structural feature of the map, rendered as a dense, continuous range separating the narrow coastal plain from the interior highlands. Major rivers, valleys, and settlements are carefully delineated, reflecting Peru’s role as a hub of mining, trade, and governance. Lake Titicaca is prominently shown in the southeastern highlands, underscoring its long-standing geographic and cultural importance. Throughout the interior, the map notes the locations of numerous Indigenous groups and tribal regions, providing valuable insight into early European perceptions of Peru’s complex ethnic and cultural landscape at the time of Spanish domination.
Maritime Emphasis and Decorative Elements
The Pacific Ocean, labeled Mar del Zur, occupies much of the lower portion of the sheet and is animated with sailing vessels, sea creatures, and a large compass rose with radiating rhumb lines, emphasizing navigation and transoceanic trade. The Equator (Linea Aequinoctialis) and the Tropic of Capricorn (Tropicus Capricorni) are also clearly marked. Ornate cartouches for the title and scale reflect the refined engraving style of Blaeu’s workshop.
CONDITION
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