1815 Thomson Map of Northeastern South American: Venezuela, Guiana

A stunning, highly detailed, and extremely interesting c. 1815 map of northeastern South America, which appeared in the 1817 edition of John Thomson's New General Atlas. It reflects both the limited geographical knowledge of the South American interior as well as the shifting borders following the upheaval of the Venezuelan struggle for independence.

A Closer Look

Coverage includes the modern-day countries and territories of Venezuela, Guyana, French Guyana, Suriname, and parts of Brazil. Relief is shown by hachure with towns, cities, and major topographical features identified. Thomson offers impressive detail throughout, noting indigenous groups, missions, towns and cities, swamps, mountains, and river systems. The upper right-hand quadrant features the title plate and two distance scales, one in British Miles and the other in Spanish Leagues.

Cartographically speaking this is an often-neglected part of the world - especially in the early 19th century. Though the coastlands had been well mapped early in the 16th century, the interior was rarely penetrated. The combination of mountainous terrain, daunting jungles, and malaria made this area all but unexplorable - even today. Nonetheless, Thomson made a commendable attempt to piece together early conquistador accounts, explorer's journals, missionary records, and indigenous reports into a coherent mapping of the area.

The Dissolution of Spain's American Empire

This map was prepared as Spain's American empire was under tremendous strain, in large part as a result of the Napoleonic Wars and the French occupation of much of Spain. As elsewhere in the Atlantic World, the ideas of the Enlightenment also laid the groundwork for a desire for new political arrangements. The 1810s were especially chaotic, as Creole elites such as Simon Bolivar soured on the old country and aimed to declare independence. Spain counter-attacked when it could, often winning back territory, if only temporarily, explaining the 'disputed ground' between Caracas and Cumana, as well as the 'New Govrt. of Gumana [Guiana]' south of Cumana.

Lake Parima

Another interesting aspect of this map is Thomson's treatment of the apocryphal Lake Parima, located dead center. Lake Parima was first identified by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 16th century - though he admittedly never saw the lake himself. Raleigh associated the lake with indigenous legends of Manoa and the supposed site of El Dorado. Many early maps actually show 'El Dorado' on the shores of Lake Parima, though Thomson curiously does not. However, his rendition of Lake Parima is vastly larger than most previous examples from the late 18th century - even those by other English cartographers such as Laurie and Whittle. The reality of Lake Parima and the Manoa is based upon Raleigh's misinterpretation of local trade networks. The Manoans were a river trading tribe based in the Amazon. Each year during the rainy season flooding on the Orinoco and Parima rivers would create a large flood plain and open channels of trade between the two otherwise unconnected regions. Raleigh misinterpreted indigenous descriptions these watery trade channels as a great lake.

Publication History and Census

This map was engraved by J. Moffat of Edinburgh for issue as plate no. 70 in the 1817 edition of Thomson's New General Atlas. In general Thomson maps are known for their stunning color, awe inspiring size, and magnificent detail. Thomson's work, including this map, represents some of the finest cartographic art of the 19th century.