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America Meridionalis, published by Johannes Cloppenburg in Amsterdam in 1630, stands as a representative object of European cartography from the early 17th century, particularly focused on the vast expanse of South America. The map was likely engraved by Pieter van der Keere and appeared in Gerardi Meractoris Atlas sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica mundi et fabricati figura... It is a significant illustration of the European understanding of the continent during an age marked by exploration and colonial expansion.
The early 17th century was a time of rapid territorial claims, settlement, and exploration in South America. European powers, driven by the allure of the continent's immense resources and strategic significance, jostled for dominance and sought to map the vast, diverse landscapes. Cartographers like Cloppenburg worked diligently to keep pace with the influx of new geographic data from explorers and to synthesize it into visual representations, making maps vital tools for navigation, trade, and colonial administration.
Johannes Cloppenburg, working out of the thriving cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam, was a participant in a broader network of Dutch cartography. The Dutch Golden Age was in full swing during the 1630s, with Amsterdam emerging as a global hub for trade, finance, and intellectual exchange. The city's prominence in map-making is showcased in the finesse and detail of America Meridionalis, which epitomizes the caliber of work coming out of this dynamic period in Dutch history.
America Meridionalis is not only a geographical representation of South America but also a testament to the intertwined narratives of exploration, colonial ambition, and the burgeoning cartographic artistry of the 17th century. Through its lines and details, it conveys both the tangible knowledge of the era and the enduring allure of the uncharted.
Johannes Cloppenburg (sometimes Cloppenburgh; also H. Jan Evertsz and Johannes Everhardus) was a Dutch cartographer. Based in Amsterdam, he was active between roughly 1610 and 1644. He worked closely with the Hondius/Jansson firm and is credited with the 1630 edition of the Atlas Minor.
![(South America) ФИЗИЧЕСКАЯ КАРТА ЮЖНОЙ АМЕРИКИ. [Physical Map of South America]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/90260.jpg)
![ПОЛИТИЧЕСКАЯ КАРТА ЮЖНОЙ АМЕРИКИ. [Political Map of South America]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/90259.jpg)
