Sign In

This is an 18th-century map of the coasts of Senegal from Cape Blanc to the River Gambia was created by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin for his Petit Atlas Maritime, published in 1764.

The map meticulously charts the West African coastline, extending from Cape Blanc in present-day Mauritania to the Gambia River.  The map represents a crucial stretch of the West African coast that was central to the transatlantic trade during the 18th century. Senegal and Gambia were at the heart of European competition for control over resources and trade networks. Coastal settlements, such as Fort Saint-Louis and Gorée Island, are prominently marked. These sites were key European trading posts, especially for the French, who sought to dominate the lucrative trade in gum arabic, gold, and enslaved individuals. 

The Senegal River, visible on the map, was a strategic artery for French colonial expansion. The French established Fort Saint-Louis at the river's mouth in the 17th century, making it a critical base for trade and governance in the region. Control of the river allowed the French to access inland markets and transport goods, including textiles, metalware, and firearms, which were traded for slaves and other commodities.

Meanwhile, other European powers, including the British, Portuguese, and Dutch, vied for dominance along this coastline. The British fortified their presence at James Island (in the River Gambia), as marked on the map, which became a key outpost for British trading and military operations. This rivalry often led to skirmishes and shifting control of key locations, particularly during the War of the Spanish Succession and subsequent conflicts. 

By the 18th century, the region depicted on this map was deeply integrated into the transatlantic slave trade. Coastal villages and kingdoms in Senegal and Gambia were involved in complex relationships with European traders, selling enslaved individuals captured in wars or raids. Gorée Island, highlighted on Bellin's map, became infamous as a center for the trafficking of enslaved Africans. From these ports, millions of men, women, and children were forcibly shipped to plantations in the Americas, contributing to the economic systems of colonial powers. 

In addition to the slave trade, the region was vital for the production of gum arabic, a key export used in textiles, printing, and confectionery. The French dominated this trade, using it to bolster their economy and maintain their colonial holdings.