Discover Canada’s History with the Top 5 Oldest Maps

The oldest map of Canada was always a matter of debate among historians and cartographers. However, there are a few maps that are examined to be among the oldest surviving examples of cartography of Canada.

1. CARTE DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE FROM SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN (1612)

Probably the oldest known map of Canada is the Carte de la Nouvelle France, which was created by French cartographer Samuel de Champlain in 1612. This map is treated to be one of the most true and detailed maps of Canada from the early 17th century. It shows the coast of Canada from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Cod, including the locations of major rivers and lakes, as well as the region of indigenous villages and French settlements.

Samuel de Champlain, who is also known as the “Father of New France,” created the map during his third voyage to the New World. He arrived in Canada in 1603 and spent the next several years exploring the coast of Canada and the St. Lawrence River, mapping the land and recording the area of indigenous villages and French settlements. The Carte de la Nouvelle France is a result of his extensive explorations and surveys.

The map is absolutely stunning, showing the coast of Canada from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Cod. It includes the locations of major rivers and lakes, as well as the area of indigenous settlements. The map also includes notes and observations that Champlain made during his explorations, providing valuable information about the land, the indigenous peoples, and the natural resources of Canada.

CARTE-DE-LA-NOUVELLE-FRANCE-SAMUEL-CHAMPLAIN
CARTE DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE by SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN (1612)

One of the most striking details of the Carte de la Nouvelle France is its accuracy. Champlain’s map is recognized to be one of the most accurate and precise maps of Canada from the early 17th century. He was able to produce such an proper map due to the use of new technologies, such as the compass and the sextant, which allowed him to more accurately measure distances and angles. He also used a newer technique, which helped him to determine the positions of landmarks and other features on the map.

The Carte de la Nouvelle France also served an important role in the colonisation of Canada. The map was widely used by French explorers and traders, who used it to navigate the coastline of Canada and to establish trading posts and settlements. It also served as an important reference for the French government, which used it to plan and organize the colonisation of Canada.

Samuel De Champlain (war portrait)
Samuel de Champlain (War portrait)

The Carte de la Nouvelle France is also significant for its depiction of the indigenous peoples of Canada. Champlain’s map is one of the first to include detailed information about the indigenous peoples, such as their locations, cultures, and languages. He also included notes about their customs, such as their hunting and fishing practices, and he even included illustrations of their homes and canoes.

Despite its historical significance, the Carte de la Nouvelle France is not widely known or widely available today. Few original copies of the map survive, and it is not widely available for study or for public viewing. However, it is studied to be an important piece of Canadian history and a valuable resource for those interested in the early exploration and mapping of Canada.

2. MAP OF NEW FRANCE from NICOLAS SANSON (1656)

Another early map of Canada is the Map of New France, which was created by French cartographer Nicolas Sanson in 1656. This map is treated to be one of the most important maps of Canada from the 17th century, as it was widely used by French explorers and traders. The map shows the coast of Canada from Labrador to Maine, including the sites of rivers, lakes, and indigenous villages.

Map of New France (Canada) by Nicolas Saison
Map of New France (Canada) by Nicolas Saison

Nicolas Sanson was one of the most prominent cartographers of his time and is known for his precise and accurate maps. He created the Map of New France during a time when the French were exploring and colonizing the region. The map was based on the information collected by explorers such as Samuel de Champlain, and it was intended to be used by traders and officials to manoeuvre the coast of Canada.

The Map of New France is quite comprehensive, showing the coastline of Canada from Labrador to Maine. It includes the spot of rivers, lakes, and indigenous villages. The map also includes notes and observations that Sanson made during his research, providing valuable information about the land, the indigenous peoples, and the natural resources of Canada.

Sanson Nicolas
Sanson Nicolas

One of the most astonishing component of the Map of New France is its accuracy. Sanson’s map is considered to be one of the most correct and detailed maps of Canada from the 17th century. He was able to produce such an true map due to the use of new machinery, such as the compass and the sextant, which allowed him to more accurately measure distances and angles. He also used a method to increase the credibility and validity of research findings, which helped him to determine the positions of important land locations and other details on the map.

3. MAP OF NEW FRANCE by JACQUES NICOLAS BELLIN (1744)

A third example is the Map of New France, which was created by French cartographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin in 1744. This map is examined to be one of the most proper and specific maps of Canada from the 18th century. It shows the coast of Canada from Newfoundland to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, including the site of rivers, lakes, and French settlements.

MAP OF NEW FRANCE by JACQUES NICOLAS BELLIN
MAP OF NEW FRANCE by JACQUES NICOLAS BELLIN

Jacques Nicolas Bellin was a prominent cartographer and hydrographer of his time, who worked as a chief cartographer of French Navy. He created the Map of New France as part of a series of maps that were intended to improve navigation and support French colonization efforts in the region. The map was based on the information collected by explorers, surveyors, and sailors, and it was intended to be used by traders and officials to navigate the coastline of Canada.

The Map of New France is quite detailed, showing the shore of Canada from Newfoundland to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. It includes the area of rivers, lakes, and French settlements. The map also includes notes and observations that Bellin made during his research, providing valuable information about the land, the indigenous peoples, and the natural resources of Canada.

JACQUES NICOLAS Bellin - Cartographer
JACQUES NICOLAS Bellin – Cartographer

One of the most impresive details of the Map of New France is its accuracy. Bellin’s map is treated to be one of the most factual and exact maps of Canada from the 18th century. He used the most up-to-date information from the explorers and surveyors to make it as correct as possible. He also used advanced cartographic techniques, such as triangulation and astronomical observations, to resolve the positions of landmarks and other elements on the map. He covered a wide area map with this technique.

4. MAP OF NEW FRANCE by GUILLAUME DELISLE (1700)

Yet another example is the Map of New France by French cartographer Guillaume Delisle in 1700. This map is acknowledged to be one of the most correct and specific maps of Canada from the 18th century. It shows the coast of Canada from Labrador to Maine, including the locations of rivers, lakes, and French settlements.

MAP OF NEW FRANCE by GUILLAUME DELISLE
MAP OF NEW FRANCE by GUILLAUME DELISLE

Guillaume Delisle was a prominent French cartographer of his time, and he created the Map of New France as part of a series of maps that were intended to improve navigation and support French colonization efforts in the region. The map was based on the information collected by explorers, surveyors, and sailors, and it was intended to be used by traders and officials to manuver the coast of Canada.

The Map of New France is more than perfect, showing the coast of Canada from Labrador to Maine. It includes the locations of rivers, lakes, and French settlements. The map also includes notes and observations that Delisle made during his research, providing valuable information about the land, the indigenous peoples, and the natural resources of Canada.

GUILLAUME DELISLE
GUILLAUME DELISLE

One of the most astonishing aspect of the Map of New France is its accuracy. Delisle’s map is studied to be one of the most accurate and specific maps of Canada from the 18th century. He used the most up-to-date information from the explorers and surveyors to make it as accurate as possible. He also used advanced cartographic techniques, that used to increase the credibility and validity of research findings and astronomical observations, which help him to set the positions of details and other features on the map.

5. MAP OF CANADA by WILLIAM FADEN (1777)

One of the oldest surviving maps of Canada is the Map of Canada, which was created by English cartographer William Faden in 1777. This map is examined to be one of the most important maps of Canada from the 18th century, as it was widely used by British explorers and traders. The map shows the shore of Canada from Newfoundland to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, including the spots of rivers, lakes, and British settlements.

MAP OF CANADA by WILLIAM FADEN
MAP OF CANADA by WILLIAM FADEN

William Faden was a prominent cartographer and geographer of his time, who worked as a map publisher and seller in London. He created the Map of Canada during a time when the British were exploring and colonizing the region. The map was based on the information collected by explorers such as James Cook, and it was intended to be used by traders and officials to navigate the coast of Canada.

The Map of Canada is at most detailed, showing the coast of Canada from Newfoundland to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. It includes the part of rivers, lakes, and British settlements. The map also includes notes and observations that Willam Faden made during his research, providing valuable information about the land, the indigenous peoples, and the natural resources of Canada.

WILLIAM FADEN
WILLIAM FADEN

One of the most striking aspect of the Map of Canada is its accuracy. Faden’s map is recognized to be one of the most exact and exact maps of Canada from the late 18th century. He used the most up-to-date information from the explorers and surveyors to make it as accurate as possible. He also used advanced cartographic techniques, such as triangulation and astronomical observations, to put the positions of important locations and other parts on the map.

The Map of Canada also served an important role in the colonization of Canada. The map was widely used by British explorers and traders, who used it to navigate the coastline of Canada and establish trading posts and settlements. It also served as an important reference for the British government, which used it to plan and organize the colonization of Canada.

In addition to these maps, there are also several other early maps of Canada that are treated to be important historical documents. For example, the Map of New France, which was created by French cartographer Jean-Baptiste-Louis Franquelin in 1688, is studied to be one of the most exact and detailed maps of Canada.

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