This detailed map presents a detailed and richly labeled depiction of the Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik, Croatia) and its neighboring islands along the Dalmatian coast. Bellin, the chief hydrographer of the French Navy and one of the most prominent cartographers of the 18th century, included a wealth of geographic and maritime information that highlights the strategic importance of this area in the Adriatic Sea.
This map meticulously charts the islands surrounding Ragusa, naming several prominent ones:
- Isle Lagosta (modern Lastovo), located on the far western edge of the map, is marked as a notable island in the Republic of Ragusa's territory.
- Isle de Curzola (modern Korčula) is one of the larger islands, well-known for its dense forests and long history of seafaring and trade.
- Isle de Meleda (modern Mljet), renowned for its natural beauty and ancient monastic sites, is also highlighted.
- Isle de Lesina (modern Hvar) appears to the north, an important island for maritime trade and the cultivation of vineyards.
- L’Isolette and the Iles de Lagosta are also featured as smaller clusters of islands around Lagosta, adding to the navigational complexity of the region.
- L'Torcola (modern Šćedro Island) and Isle de Plana (possibly referring to a small island in the region) are noted, adding to the map’s detailed presentation of the archipelago.
The map shows a number of towns and fortresses, including:
- Ville de Raguse (modern Dubrovnik) is the central feature, a fortified city noted for its extensive defensive walls, harbors, and status as the capital of the Republic of Ragusa.
- To the southeast lies Castel Novo (modern Herceg Novi), an important fortress town that served as a defensive outpost at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor.
- Porto di Stagno (modern Ston), located on the Pelješac Peninsula, is marked for its fortified walls and salt pans, which were vital to Ragusa's economy.
- Forteresse de Comgrand (likely referring to Konavle, the region near Dubrovnik) stands as a reminder of the military fortifications that dotted the coast to protect against Ottoman incursions.
- Port Telaro and Port Real are shown as important harbors, indicating key maritime stopping points for vessels traversing the Adriatic.
The map marks the Canal de Narenta (modern Neretva River delta) as a natural boundary between the Republic of Ragusa and the Ottoman territories. The canal provided a crucial waterway for trade and strategic defense. The "Limites des Terres des Turcs", or the border of Turkish (Ottoman) lands, is clearly delineated, emphasizing Ragusa’s position as a small, independent republic between the Ottoman Empire and the powerful Venetian Republic to the north.
Other notable features include:
- Les Bouches de Cattaro (modern Bay of Kotor), just off the map’s southeastern edge, an area historically important for naval powers.
- Isle de Brazza (modern Brač), known for its stone quarries and significant naval activity, is depicted to the northwest.
During the 18th century, the Republic of Ragusa was an important maritime republic and a neutral trading power between the Ottoman Empire and European states. This map illustrates its geographic confines and the numerous islands that were critical to its maritime economy. Ragusa’s wealth stemmed from its strategic location, serving as a trade intermediary in the Adriatic, and this map by Bellin reflects the importance of understanding the intricate coastlines and islands that defined its territorial reach. Bellin’s work not only served as a tool for navigation but also as a reflection of France’s interest in the geopolitics of the Adriatic region, at a time when European powers were seeking to expand their influence in the Mediterranean.
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.