Coloured map of southern Mexico and Central America by Joan Blaeu that only appeared in the post-1662 editions of his landmark atlas entitled “Atlas Major” and, as a result, is relatively uncommon. One of the first Dutch maps to focus on this region, the map covers the region from Mexico City in the north to Panama in the south. Although the area around the coasts was well known and details of the region’s Spanish settlements, such as Granada, are accurately shown on the map; the interior was largely unknown and significant geographical features were inaccurately depicted. For example, the largest lake in the region, Lake Nicaragua is mistakenly shown with an east-west orientation and a large river extending from its eastern end to the Caribbean. The map is decorated with an ornate title cartouche surrounded by putti holding maize and other plants found in the region. Blank verso. The map has some tears in the centrefolds and margins, some of which extend into the image, otherwise it is in very good condition. 42 cm x 52 cm