Map Of Africa Title Analysis

Maps serve as powerful objects that can change the way viewers think or perceive the world. When maps contain lies, people can be led into a false sense of belief. A New Map of Africa from the Latest Authorities, was created by cartographer John Cary- a former apprentice of William Palmer- reinforces this idea. The map was created in 1805, at the height of European colonization and exploration of Africa. Most explorers were not familiar with Africa’s landscape while undertaking these long expeditions, and thus would rely upon maps and atlases such as Cary’s New Universal Atlas, which contained his A New Map of Africa. Cary uses the word “authority” in the title of his map to place trust and confidence in the viewers, however, this map contains fiction which is seen in the non-existent Mountains of Kong. Something this incorrect was unexpected from a man who had been commissioned to write road maps of England’s highways for the Postmaster General in 1780 and who had worked with geologist William Smith to record maps of geological surveys. Thus, authority …show more content…
Miguel Island on the upper left-hand corner and St Anthony’s in the left lateral side of the image; in the lower left-hand corner, we find a cartouche in the form of a circle in which lies the title, “A New Map of Africa: From the Latest Authorities, by John Cary, Engraver, 1805.” The cartouche is simple in its form and color, providing the viewer with the necessary information needed to understand authorship, occupation, and year of production. This is in marked contrast to cartouches of earlier maps because Cary abandons metaphorical and allegorical references to mermaids, sea monsters, or angels, among other mythological figures. Most importantly, however, the claim that truth and reliability are unquestionable due to it being a product of the latest authorities is incorrect since parts of the map are unreliable due to the cartographer being