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This early map of Madagascar and the surrounding western Indian Ocean is late 16th century European map, highlightring Madagascar and the southeastern coast of Africa, along with nearby islands such as the Comoros, Seychelles, and Mascarene Islands. Coastal settlements, rivers, and capes are labeled, while the interior of Madagascar remains largely undefined, reflecting the European focus on maritime navigation.
The map provides a detailed depiction of Madagascar's coastline, including notable landmarks such as Cape St. Sebastian and Baixas de India (suggesting the presence of reefs or shallow waters). It also labels Mozambique and key trading settlements along the African coast, indicating the region’s importance in the Portuguese and Dutch spice and slave trade routes. The islands I. de Diego Roiz (Rodrigues), I. de Cirne (Mauritius), and J. de Juan de Lisboa are also shown, along with S. Brandaan, a reference to the legendary phantom island of St. Brendan.
The map features two sets of voyage tracks, dated 1596 and 1598, indicating early European exploratory routes through the region.
- The 1596 Route: This likely corresponds to early Dutch or Portuguese voyages to the Indian Ocean, as both nations were actively seeking to challenge the Portuguese dominance of the spice trade. The Dutch, in particular, were beginning their voyages toward the East Indies (modern Indonesia) during this period.
- The 1598 Route: This is likely a reference to Cornelis de Houtman’s second Dutch expedition to the East Indies, or another voyage within the Dutch efforts to establish alternative trade routes to Asia. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was founded in 1602, and expeditions in the late 1590s were crucial in charting navigational routes and claiming strategic ports along the way.
These voyage tracks underscore the strategic importance of Madagascar and surrounding islands as key stopping points for resupplying and navigation along the Cape Route to Asia. By the late 16th century, European maritime powers were competing for control over the lucrative Indian Ocean trade, and maps like this one would have been essential for sailors and merchants navigating these contested waters.
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