To the right is a portolan chart of the Mediterranean that includes the Portuguese discoveries in Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea. On the left is a small circular map of the world, which reflects European geographical knowledge at the very beginning of its exploration of the Americas. The cosmography is inscribed in nine celestial circles, which fits with the prevailing geocentric conception of the universe of the time.

The only humans depicted are two warring figures in what might be modern-day Mali or Niger, one holding a spear and shield and the other a bow.

The map has been attributed to Christopher Columbus, but this remains a highly controversial claim.]]> La carta de Cristóbal Colón: mapa portulano, ca. 1492-1500. Introduction by José Luis Comellas. Barcelona: M. Moleiro Editor, S.A., 1995.]]>
https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/56928/portolan-on-vellum-the-disputed-christopher-columbus-port-m-moleiro-editor-sa [offers a high resolution digital
copy]

https://images.cnrs.fr/en/video/6877]]> History of Cartography, vol. 3, edited by David Woodward, 174-262.  Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.

"Utopie - La Carte De Christophe Colomb."  expositions.bnf.fr/utopie/grand/2_27.htm.]]> Carleton Library Special Collections Map (Map, Rolled) G3201.P5 1492 .C3 1995]]>