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Indiae orientalis insularumque by Abraham Ortelius

Indiae orientalis insularumque by Abraham Ortelius

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Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598)
Indiae orientalis insularumque adiacientium typus
India, the orient and adjacent islands, included in Ortelius’ atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum.
hand-coloured engraving; 32.7 x 47.6 cm
Antwerp: Ortelius, 1570
National Library of Australia

http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-nk5318

The appearance of regional maps in atlases such as Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum—here showing a map of India, China, Indonesia and north western America—shows that mapmakers had started to recognise the trading importance of the East Indies. Australia ('Beach pars continentis Australis') is shown emerging below Java. The land of 'Beach' on Terra Australis was based on Marco Polo's texts, which suggested to some a land below Java. Reaching 'Beach', also known as 'Java la Grande' by some, and as 'Lucantara' by the Portuguese, was the goal of many explorers, including Francis Drake.