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This detailed 18th-century map by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin depicts the Gulf of Benin and part of the Guinea coast, stretching from the Volta River to Cape Formosa. The map showcases various kingdoms and regions along the coast, including the Kingdom of Benin, Kingdom of Ardra, and Kingdom of Ouidah. It highlights significant geographical features such as rivers, capes, and islands, along with coastal settlements and landmarks. The cartouche in the upper left corner is ornately decorated, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the map. Bellin's cartography provides valuable insight into the geographical knowledge of West Africa during the 18th century, reflecting the importance of these regions in trade and exploration during that period.
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was among the most important mapmakers of the eighteenth century. In 1721, at only the age of 18, he was appointed Hydrographer to the French Navy. In August 1741, he became the first Ingénieur de la Marine of the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine (the French Hydrographic Office) and was named Official Hydrographer of the French King.
During his term as Official Hydrographer, the Dépôt was the one of the most active centers for the production of sea charts and maps in Europe. Their output included a folio-format sea atlas of France, the Neptune Francois. He also produced a number of sea atlases of the world, including the Atlas Maritime and the Hydrographie Francaise. These gained fame and distinction all over Europe and were republished throughout the eighteenth and even in the nineteenth century.
Bellin also produced smaller format maps such as the 1764 Petit Atlas Maritime, containing 580 finely-detailed charts. He also contributed a number of maps for the 15-volume Histoire Generale des Voyages of Antoine François Prévost.
Bellin set a very high standard of workmanship and accuracy, cementing France's leading role in European cartography and geography during this period. Many of his maps were copied by other mapmakers across the continent.
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