Exploring the Atlas Maior

What was the primary ambition of the Atlas Maior?

• To document only the Dutch colonies

• To create a guide for sea voyages

• To focus on European countries

• To map the entire world

Why was Amsterdam a key location for the creation of the Atlas Maior?

• It was the birthplace of Joan Blaeu

• It had the largest population in Europe

• It was a center for global trade and knowledge

• It was the capital of the Netherlands

What typeface did Joan Blaeu choose for the Atlas Maior, and why?

• Italic, for ease of reading

• Roman, to convey importance and grandeur

• Modern, to appeal to contemporary readers

• Gothic, to reflect medieval traditions

How were the images in the Atlas Maior colored?

• They were printed in color

• They were hand-colored

• They were left black and white

• They used a special ink that changed color

What was the primary purpose of the Atlas Maior?

• To educate children about geography

• To be a prestige item for the wealthy

• To serve as a navigational tool

• To replace older maps

What was unique about the maps in the Atlas Maior?

• They included detailed descriptions of places and customs

• They were only available in Dutch

• They were the first to use longitude and latitude

• They were printed on silk

What does the depiction of the Americas in the Atlas Maior include?

• A focus on indigenous cultures

• Only the northern part of the continent

• Illustrations of ships and sea creatures

• Detailed maps of every city

What economic system is illustrated in the map of Brazil in the Atlas Maior?

• Plantation slavery and sugar production

• Feudalism

• Industrial capitalism

• Trade in spices

How did the Atlas Maior reflect the Dutch colonial interests?

• By excluding other European powers

• By highlighting Dutch naval routes

• By including maps of Dutch colonies like Brazil

• By focusing solely on Dutch territories

What role did maps play in 17th century Dutch culture?

• They were only used by the military

• They were considered outdated

• They were a symbol of intellectual and artistic pride

• They were used primarily for navigation