Map of Asia by Homann (Carte de l’Asie par Homann) [French] Year: 1744 Call Number: MAP-1744-01 The map, originally published in 1744, adopts a “stereographical projection” to present the overall picture of the Asian continent with a longitude and latitude grid system. This map combines the latest geographical information from European countries on Asian regions, including Arabia, India, China, Japan, Korea, the East Indies, Siberia, and parts of New Guinea in the mid-eighteenth century. Among them, the descriptions of Siberia, the Kamchatka Peninsula, and Hokkaido are obviously the results of Russian surveying work at that time. The descriptions of inland China, such as the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins, are relatively detailed, based on the field surveys conducted by Martino Martini and the Jesuits. The map’s depiction of China’s southeastern coast highlights Macao’s status as a hub on the “Maritime Silk Road”. Macao is situated on the west side of the Pearl River Estuary, forming a “dual-core” trade network with Guangzhou (Canton). The former is an international port where Portuguese merchant ships dock, and the latter is an official port designated by the Qing Dynasty for foreign trade. Although the map fails to clearly depict the outline of the Macao Peninsula, the dense routes and anchorage marks suggest its status as a world trade hub connecting Europe, India, China, and the Americas, and its function as a global commodity cargo transshipment station. The maps drawn by cartographer Homann were accurate and exquisite. He often accepted commissions from nobles to customize illustrations. The decorative frame in the lower right corner of this map is themed “Asian kings accepting tribute”, but the image of a Native American woman (holding a bow and arrow and a feather crown) is abruptly added, suggesting that Europe juxtaposed Asia and the New World as “foreign lands to be conquered.” 57 08
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