TIL about Sebastian Münster's 1540 map of the Americas, the first one to show that North and South America were connected by an isthmus and the first to call it 'The New World.' - eviltoast
  • EpeeGnome@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    I had guessed it was Sri Lanka since it is also shown just off the coast of India. Then I figured it was more likely Indonesia given it’s surrounded by so many other islands and not that close to India. But yeah, now that I know that the name meant Japan I’m wondering if it’s depiction on the map is a conflagration of accounts of Indonesia and Japan.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Given the lack of shape, it could be just about anything - I wonder if it was one report, or hearsay with no details and they filled in something

      • ripcord@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        They were generally working with very, very rough, incomplete, conflicting, or confusing info, yes.

        It’s pretty astounding to me that this is even remotely as accurate as it is.