Map Details
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| Number: | 267 |
| Continent: | Africa |
| Region: | East |
| Place Names: | Mauritius, Isle of France |
| Year of Origin: | 1763 |
| Title: | Carte De L'Isle De France Dressee au Depost des Cartes et Plans de la Marine . . . |
| Sub-Title: | |
| Language: | French |
| Publish Origin: | Paris |
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| Images of this map are not yet available. |
| Cartographer: |
Jacques Nicolas Bellin |
| Engraver: | |
| Publisher: |
Service Hydrographic De La Marine Depot-General de la Marine |
| Other Contributors: |
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| Measurement Notes: | modern estimates |
| Notes: | [PENDI NG ABE ARRIVAL;Sommer; Ruderman image 80037] The original is Not in the Afriterra collection; early sea chart of the Island of Mauritius published by the French Hydrographical Department., By Bellin for the 'Le Petit Atlas Maritime...' Includes a detailed treatment of the island and a large inset of Port Louis and profile view of the approach to Port Louis. This chart was produced by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772), France's preeminent maritime cartographer and the Premier Ingenieur of the Depot de la Marine (the French Hydrographical Office), as well as the Official Hydrographer of the King Louis XV, appearing in volume 2 of Bellin's Hydrographie Francoise, one of the most important compilations of Sea Charts published in the 18th Century. Map shows the island of Mauritius; History: The island was first noted by Europeans in 1505 (other sources mention 1507 or even 1510) by the Portuguese Pedro Mascarenhas. He is still remembered by the name of the archipelago of the Mascarenes (consisting of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion). However, the Portuguese used the island only as a base and not as a colony. Admiral Wybrand van Warwijck took possession of the island for Holland in 1598 and named it after Prince Moritz of Orange. In 1715 the island was conquered by the French, who renamed it "Ile de France". From 1767 the island was a French crown colony. In 1810, after a successful campaign - the so-called Mauritius Campaign - against France, the British under Commodore Josias Rowley occupied the island and renamed it Mauritius again. From 1958, Great Britain prepared Mauritius for its independence together with Rodrigues, became independent in 1968 and joined the Commonwealth. |
| Last updated: Jun 23, 2022 |