Importance of the Waldseemueller Map
This is the first accurate map of North and South America – accurate because it is the first European map to show latitudes and longitudes. Using these one can position the Americas relative to Africa and establish their land mass and shape. Despite these remarkable advances, the map, has two serious defects. The projection is bizarre – in the shape of a heart. This means that it is very difficult for the viewer to understand. Secondly the Eastern part of the map from South Africa to China has been ‘lifted’ from Martellus 1489 and as a result contains the forgeries encompassed in the Martellus chart. In short the Eastern point of the map is useless whilst the Americas is of huge importance and can be seen to be so – once latitude and longitude are perfected in a form we understand, in particular on a globe.
