Catalan Atlas (IMAGE)
Caption
Atlas from the 14th century, attributed to Abraham Cresques. Via Wikimedia Commons. Presented in 1380 as a gift to King Charles V of France, the atlas offers a detailed depiction of the known world, from the Atlantic to China. The section highlighted here focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Major port cities central to the long-distance grain trade—such as Genoa, Venice, Messina, as well as Caffa and Tana—are prominently marked with flags, underscoring their strategic economic importance.
Credit
Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
License
Public Domain