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Copper-engraved map, hand-colored. 38x47 cm (15x18½").

Detailed map of Africa, though internally highly speculative, compiled from Gerard Mercator's world map of 1569, drawn by Mercator's grandson (also named Gerard) in 1595, and published later by Hondius. It is typical of 16th century cartography of Africa with many fantastic detail in the interior. The depiction of the Nile is based on Ptolemy's geography with some complex modifications from various sources. The source of the Nile is shown as a series of lakes located in the Lune montes just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Another branch of the Nile flows from the west, with this system meandering through what is the Sahara Desert. Mercator adds a lake named Sac. Haf lac, from the 1507 Waldseemuller world map. This lake feeds both the Zambere River and the Nile. In Abissini, the legendary Christian King Prester John sits on his throne. French text on verso. From the 1619 edition of the Mercator-Hondius atlas.