French Guiana and Cayenne Map

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This map titled "Guyane" is part of the France Pittoresque series and provides a detailed view of French Guiana along … Read more This map titled "Guyane" is part of the France Pittoresque series and provides a detailed view of French Guiana along with a plan of the city of Cayenne. Features: - The map showcases the broader region of French Guiana, indicating key rivers, settlements, and the coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. - To the left, there's an inset labeled "Plan de la Ville de Cayenne", which shows the street layout, squares, and main buildings of the capital city, Cayenne. This inset provides a more detailed view of the urban area, highlighting its geometric grid layout near the coast. - The larger map outlines geographical features such as rivers (e.g., Oyapock and Maroni), forests, and territories in the surrounding area, including the neighboring Brazilian Empire. - Major rivers, such as Oyapock (marking the boundary with Brazil), and the **Maroni** are indicated, alongside smaller rivers flowing toward the coast. - A scale at the bottom left provides measurements in Myriamètres, Common Leagues, and Nautical Miles. Historical Context: - French Guiana was an important French colony in South America, and maps like this served both administrative and educational purposes. The city of **Cayenne** was a hub for colonial administration and trade. - This map likely dates from the mid-19th century, during the period of French colonial expansion in South America. It provides a snapshot of the region’s geography and urban planning at that time. Artistic and Cartographic Details: - The map is finely engraved with clear lines marking both the urban and natural landscapes. - It was drawn by Monin and engraved by Jacqueline and Barrière in Paris, with the address at **Rue des Noyers 56**. The map titled "Guyane" from the **France Pittoresque** series, based on its style, cartographic details, and the publisher's information, likely dates from the mid-19th century, around 1835 to 1850. This time frame corresponds with a period when French cartography was actively producing detailed maps of its overseas territories, and French Guiana was becoming more important as a colony, especially after the establishment of the penal colony in 1852. The urban plan of Cayenne and the territorial details suggest that it predates some of the later developments in the region. Thus, a likely date for this map would be around 1840–1850. See less