1922 Hoehne Map of the Mato Grosso, Brazil

This is a 1922 Frederico Carlos Hoehne map of the Mato Grosso region of Brazil highlighting regional differences in vegetation. The Mato Grosso is one of the most remote and little understood regions of Brazil. It is the location where the famous explorer, Percy Fawcett believed he would discover El Dorado, or as he called it, Z, and where he ultimately vanished. Maps of the Mato Grosso are exceedingly scarce due to the remoteness of the region and density of the rain forest. On this map, Hoehne differentiates between thirteen different 'phytophysiognomies', which are labeled here as 'formations', some of which include 'typical savannahs', 'parquiform low savannahs', and 'high wet meadows', and uses different patterns and colors to identify each one. Phytophysiognomy refers to the specific character and attributes of a given type of plant based on its appearance. Many of the settlements identified here are actually telegraph stations, with the exception of Cuyaba (Cuiabá), the regional capital, Diamantino, Corumba, and others. The telegraph lines are illustrated by thin black lines between the telegraph stations, which are marked by white circles. The whole network illustrated here was put in place by 'The Rondon Commission', a military operation led by Cândido Rondon, a Brazilian military officer and explorer. The Madeira-Mamoré Railroad, situated in the upper left, and the North Western of Brazil Railway, situated in the bottom right quadrant and ending at Porto Esperança, are both illustrated. Perhaps the most intriguing notation present in the key, situated in the lower left corner, is the differentiation between explored rivers and unexplored rivers.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Frederico Carlos Hoehne, drawn by George Muench, and printed by Ypiranga Lithography in 1922. This is the only known example.