Mapping the expansion of the known world in the north

Abstract

ABSTRACT Early 16th century knowledge of Europe’s northern regions was fragmentary and incomplete; reliable observations were few, contemporary written sources were scarce, and maps of the far north were mainly compilations of word-of-mouth knowledge and imprecise ancient geographical descriptions. Enhanced maps resulted from the emerging depiction of an extensive White Sea in mid-16th century. Areas farther east and north were still largely unknown. A debated issue was the existence of the North Pole continent, depicted on many 16th century maps. In the 1590s, new discoveries were made by Dutch explorers, principally through the Barentsz expeditions, searching for a shorter route to Asia, referred to as the Northeast Passage. The article analyses maps made before, during and after the Dutch voyages and illuminates different stages in the development of 16th century knowledge of the European North. Although unsuccessful, the search for the Northeast Passage contributed to an expansion of the known world and more accurate mapping of the far north. The expeditions were the first to depict Spitsbergen and Bear Island on maps and proved that Novaya Zemlya was not part of a North Pole continent. By the end of the century, the image of the European North had been totally reshaped.