A fine early map of the the Low Countries, which appeared in Petrus Kaerius's (Peter Van der Keere) Germaniae Inferior id est, XVII Provinciarum ejus novae et exactae Tabulae Geographicae, first published in Amsterdam in 1617.
Van der Keere's atlas was the first separately published atlas of the Low Countries.
The map includes multiple compass roses, coats of arms and sailing ships, a sea monster and other decorative elements.
The text, presented in both Latin and Dutch, outlines the detailed topographical features of Holland, including cities, rivers, lakes, sandbanks, and maritime hazards, emphasizing its utility for both geographic study and navigation. Surrounding the text is a series of heraldic shields representing the cities and towns of Holland, meticulously engraved with their respective coats of arms. These include major urban centers such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Leiden, Haarlem, and The Hague, as well as smaller municipalities like Edam, Woerden, and Montendam.
The stylistic elements of the cartouche reflect the artistic and engraving traditions of the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography, with bold linework, intricate detailing, and symmetrical arrangements. The presence of navigational references, such as buoys, sandbanks, and depth measurements, highlights the maritime importance of Holland, particularly in an era when Dutch seafaring and trade dominated European commerce.
The text in the cartouche translates as follows:
Hollandiae Comitatus nova et exacta delineatio, universis cum urbibus, pagis et arcibus, fluminibus item indigenis, paludibus et aquis: adjunximus olim Mose, Vliey et Marsdiepi situs, cum omnibus tum suis, tum Frisiorum, marisq Meridionalis periculosis arctis, vadis brevius, profundis vasis et scopis, cum suis rectis directionibus, ad commodum tum ingressum tum exitum. Dioecesis inter trajectensis, aliarumque regionum contenta est in exactam Geographicae artis ratiocinationem delineata, adjuntis singularum urbium Hollandicarum insignibus.
Het Graefschap van Holland, nieuwe en grontdecke beschryvinge, met alle Steeden, Dorpen, en Sloten. Oock alle inlaetsche Rivieren, Meren, en wateren. Mitsgaders de gelegentheyt der monden van de Maese, Wierseeroom, en t’ Marsdiep, met alle haer, der Vriesche, en Zuyder-Zeesche perrekelose Sandtplaecten, Gronden, Reckens, Diepten, Ondergronden, Baacken, en Tommen, met hare rechte streckingen om op te zeilen. Insgeylijcks oock het Sticht van Utrecht en andere aenpalende Landtschappen, alles naer reghte Geographischer const beschreven. Noch hier by gestelt de Wapens der Hollandscher Steeden.
Translation (from the Dutch text): The County of Holland, a new and comprehensive description, including all cities, villages, and settlements. Also, all inland rivers, lakes, and waters, as well as the geographical layout of the mouths of the Maas, Wieringermeer, and Marsdiep, along with all their dangerous Frisian and Zuiderzee sandbanks, grounds, shallows, depths, markers, and buoys, with their precise bearings for navigation. Likewise, the Bishopric of Utrecht and other adjacent lands are described according to correct geographical methods. Also included here are the coats of arms of the cities of Holland.