Mexicque, ou Nouvelle Espagne, Nouvelle Gallice, Iucatan &c.

Attribution:

Nicolas Sanson

Date:

1656

Description:

Nicolas Sanson’s map of Mexico, published in Paris in 1656, shows the problematic division of power in the Americas. On the one hand, it delineates the three major high courts—the Audiencias of Mexico, Guatemala, and Guadajalara—that answered directly to the Council of the Indies in Spain. On the other hand, it demarcates the political divisions, or provincias, ruled by governors under the guidance of the viceroy of New Spain. The latter eventually formed the modern-day states of Mexico and the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Bib. Reference:

Cartes générales de la géographie (Paris: Chez Pierre Mariette)

Bancroft call number:

G4410 1656 .S18

Digital image courtesy of:

David Rumsey Map Collection