1748 Les Isles Du Spitsberg
By: Georges Louis Le Rouge
Date: 1748 (published) Paris
Dimensions: 8 x 10.75 inches (20.5 x 27.5 cm)
This interesting map depicts the Norwegian archipelago known as Spitsbergen. Lying north of mainland Europe, it is located approximately midway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. The map indicates shallows near the islands, safe anchorages and includes a distance legend. Horned reindeer are featured on the main island.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the area was used as a base for northern sailing whalers but was later abandoned. Large areas of the archipelago are covered by glaciers and the mountainous islands feature many coastal fjords.
At the current time the islands are used primarily for research, while seven national parks and 23 nature-reserves cover two-thirds of the archipelago, protecting the fragile, largely untouched environment.
Condition: Map is in A+ condition with delicate hand coloring over a sharp impression on clean paper with full margins on all sides.
Inventory #12414
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