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Nova Virginiæ tabula Historic map, Library of Congress
Summary
Copy has date annotated on verso: 1644.
Relief shown pictorially.
Oriented with north to the right.
Includes col. ill.
German text on verso.
Gift; From the collection of Dr. Gerald D. Aurbach, given in his memory by his wife, Hanna, and daughters, Elissa and Pamela.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.
Acquisitions control no. 94-27
Vault
In the 17th century, maps took a huge leap forward. Mathematical and astronomical knowledge necessary to make accurate measurements had evolved. English mathematicians had perfected triangulation: navigation and surveying by right-angled triangles. Triangulation allowed navigators to set accurate courses and produced accurate land surveys. Seamen learned to correct their compasses for declination and had determined the existence of annual compass variation. Latitude determination was greatly improved with the John Davis quadrant. The measurement of distance sailed at sea was improved by another English invention, the common log. Longitudinal distance between Europe and Québec was determined by solar and lunar eclipses by the Jesuit Bressani in the 1640s and by Jean Deshayes in 1686. With accurate surveys in Europe, the grid of the modern map began to take shape.
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