As was fairly common during the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography, this map projects the world on two hemispheres Eastern and Western. It was the first richly decorated map of the period and influenced the art of cartography for the next century.

Using female figures and animals representative of the respective regions, the decorative borders symbolize the six continents. Europe and Asia pictured as fully clothed figures were placed at the top of the map, expressing their superior culture and dominance over the rest of the world. The other continents Mexicana (North America), Peruana (South America), Magallanica (the still hypothetical Antarctica), and Africa were placed at the bottom suggesting their inferior status.

Plancius, the creator of this world map, was a Flemish astronomer, geographer, and theologian. He also served as a cartographer for the Dutch East India Company.

The physical item is not available at the Boston Public Library.