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This 1764 map by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, a prominent French hydrographer and geographer, meticulously delineates the course of the Orinoco River in present-day Venezuela, reflecting the European interest in the exploration and cartographic representation of South America's vast river systems during the 18th century. Published in Bellin’s Le Petit Atlas Maritime, this two-part map provides a detailed view of the river's intricate meanders, islands, and the surrounding geography, underscoring the strategic and economic significance of the Orinoco during the period.

Description: The map is split into two segments, each illustrating a distinct portion of the Orinoco River's extensive course. The upper section captures the river’s upper reaches, flowing from its source through densely forested regions, indicating various tributaries and settlements along its banks. Bellin’s precision in depicting the river’s navigable channels and sandbanks was intended to aid navigation, emphasizing the cartographic accuracy for which he was renowned.

The first map, Carte du Cours de l'Orénoque depuis sa principale Embouchure jusqu'à la Ville de St. Thomas de Guyane, Suivant les Carte Angloises et Hollandoises, illustrates the expansive reach of the Orinoco River from its principal mouth on the Atlantic coast to the strategically significant town of St. Thomas de Guyane (modern-day Ciudad Guayana). This map, based on English and Dutch sources, captures the river's lower course, emphasizing its intricate network of channels and islands as it traverses the Guianan landscape. It details the navigable waters, highlighting the strategic river mouth crucial for maritime access, and provides insights into the colonial interests of European powers in exploiting these waterways.

The second map, Carte du Cours de l'Orénoque depuis la Point de Barime à son Embouchure jusqu'au Fort de St. Thomas Suivant un Manuscrit François, extends the geographical coverage from the Point of Barime to the river's mouth and the Fort of St. Thomas. Drawing on French manuscript sources, it provides a detailed depiction of the Orinoco's complex deltaic region, showcasing navigational hazards such as sandbanks and shoals that posed challenges to 18th-century explorers and traders. The inclusion of indigenous territories and fortifications along this stretch underscores the dynamic interactions between European colonial powers and local populations.

Both maps are a testament to Bellin’s commitment to integrating diverse sources, enhancing the understanding of the Orinoco's vital role in regional navigation, commerce, and colonial geopolitics. His reliance on Anglo-Dutch and French manuscript sources reflects the competitive nature of European mapping endeavors in South America, illustrating how cartography served both scientific and strategic purposes during the period.

 Bellin's map is part of a broader European effort to document and assert knowledge over remote and strategically important territories during the Age of Enlightenment. The Orinoco River, one of the largest river systems in South America, represented a critical artery for exploration, commerce, and territorial claims by competing European powers. Bellin, as the Chief Hydrographer to the French Navy and a member of the French Royal Academy of Sciences, was at the forefront of producing highly detailed and reliable maps that were essential for navigational and colonial enterprises.