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The 1606 map titled Septentrionalium Terrarum descriptio represents a significant evolution in Arctic cartography, blending mythological elements with emerging geographical discoveries. Originally conceived by Gerard Mercator and later revised by Jodocus Hondius, this map illustrates the transition from medieval to modern understandings of the Arctic region.
At the center of the map lies the North Pole, depicted as a massive black rock known as Rupes Nigra. Surrounding this rock are four large landmasses, divided by powerful rivers that converge into a central whirlpool. This portrayal draws from the Inventio Fortunata, a lost 14th-century manuscript, and reflects contemporary attempts to explain magnetic phenomena and oceanic currents. Mercator's correspondence with English polymath John Dee provides insight into these conceptualizations.
Hondius' 1606 edition incorporates recent explorations, notably the Dutch voyages of Willem Barentsz, which led to the discovery of Spitsbergen and Novaya Zemlya. These findings prompted Hondius to modify Mercator's original design, replacing parts of the speculative 'Pygmei' island with newly identified lands such as Nieulant and Willoughbe's Land. This adaptation reflects the tension between traditional cosmographical models and emerging empirical data.
The map also features mythical locations like Frisland, situated between Greenland and Iceland, derived from the Zeno Map by Venetian explorers Nicolo and Antonio Zeno. Despite its dubious existence, Frisland appeared on maps well into the 16th century, illustrating the persistence of legend in cartographic representations.
In North America, the map introduces 'Lago de Conibas,' a large lake with a central island, possibly referencing the Great Lakes or other significant inland bodies of water. This inclusion suggests that European cartographers had some awareness of North America's interior geography prior to formal exploration. Additionally, Mercator's placement of California north of the Strait of Anian reflects the influence of literary sources like Las Sergas de Esplandián, blending fiction with geographic speculation.
Overall, the 1606 Septentrionalium Terrarum descriptio serves as a testament to the evolving nature of cartography during the Age of Discovery, encapsulating the interplay between myth, exploration, and the quest for knowledge.
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