
1570
Indiae orientalis insularumque by Abraham Ortelius

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
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.
