"Aethiopia Superior vel Interior vulgo Abissinorum sive Presbiteri Ioannis Imperium", Blaeu, Willem

Splendid map of eastern and central Africa. The map depicts the legendary Christian Kingdom of Prester John. Fabled rivers and numerous exotic animals fill the otherwise empty spaces of the unexplored interior. There is a fair amount of detail on the eastern coast, reflecting the Portuguese and Arab trading interests. Mogadishu, Mombassa, Quiloa [Kilwa] and Mozambique are shown as major towns. The west coast is shown from Benin to Angola with the major feature being the Zaire River. Below the equator are located two large lakes which are the source of the Nile River. Much else of interest in this fine decorative map with an original colored, figurative title cartouche and scale of miles.

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Condition: A