This elegantly engraved map, based on the explorations of La Salle, shows the eastern half of the Americas from New England to Venezuela divided into the colonies of the different European powers. LaSalle, who claimed the entire Mississippi Valley for France, was one of the earliest explorers to visit Texas; the remains of his "fort" founded in 1685 were recently identified near the Texas Gulf Coast. The Southeastern United States, which was often labeled "Floridae" on earlier maps, is designated as "Ludoviciana" the Latin term for Louisiana.
The untold riches in the New World are depicted in an ornate decorative vignette in the Atlantic Ocean. Europeans are shown gathering around a treasure chest of gold along with Indians and a gold mine. Another beautifully drawn vignette on the lower left portrays a lively naval battle, one of the European powers struggling for control of the Americas.
This striking early map of the Americas, detailing the military strength and interest of the European powers, provides excellent information on many towns, rivers, mountains and lakes.
