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Copper-engraved map, hand-colored. 35.7x49 cm. (14x19¼").

Striking map of the South American continent that was added by Jodocus Hondius for publication in his continuation of the Mercator Atlas. The interior features the large mythical Parime Lacus straddling the equator and an equally interesting river system. The huge Rio de la Plata flows south from the conjectural Eupana Lacus in Brazil, while the R. Grande flows north from the same lake to join the Amazon River. The Strait of Magellan is shown, but Tierra del Fuego is part of the large southern continent. The map is engraved with a wave pattern in the oceans, which are filled with ships, sea monsters and a native canoe. The continent is flanked by two elaborate cartouches; title to the right and a large inset plan of Cuzco incorporated into the distance scale cartouche on the left. A Native American is seen with a bow and arrow in the interior. French text on verso. The map first appeared in the 1606 Mercator-Hondius Atlas, with Latin text on verso. The first French edition appeared around 1609, the last in 1628.