Vespucci - New World Inset

The New World inset is the main feature of this panel. Waldseemuller attributes Amerigo Vespucci respect for his discoveries in the new world by showing him prominently with some navigational instruments. The inset augments the main map by making additions from Columbus's and Vespucci's later discoveries. The New World is shown as a separate continent and the "gap" between the north and south continents, which had appeared earlier, was closed. This reflected Columbus's new position on a way through to India.

Japan (Zipanga) and Cathay are shown west of the new world. The "Mare Glaciale" is the arctic ocean. In this inset the word America is replaced by Terra Incognita. To the east of the northern reaches of the newly discovered landmass lies Bassyle (Newfoundland) between Europe and the new world.

Vespucci claimed this as a New World, "because none of those countries were known to our ancestors... I have found a continent in that southern part more populous and more full of animals than our Europe or Asia or Africa."

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