Mexico - 1548

It is well known as how the Aztec and Mayan states disintegrated to the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century that led to the various Mexican factions uniting finally in the 19th century as the United Mexican States. One of the two largest Spanish supremacies in the Americas, New Spain or Nueva España existed for 300 years between 1521 to 1821, covering the entire stretch from Arizona-Colorado to Panama in the Central America and even extending to all the way down to the Patagonia. Although, Mexico as a single united unit emerged only in the 19th century, the name 'Mexico' has been mentioned (with certain altered spellings) all throughout European cartography. This post shall focus on a map made in the year 1548 and the settlements existing that time. 

The territory of Iréchikwa Ts'intsúntsani (Purepecha State) that consists majorly of central Mexican states was the first one to be colonised by the Spaniards in the early 1520s. The Purepecha group consists majorly of the indigenous tribes such as Matlazincas, Tecos, Mazahuas, Otomies, Chontales, Nahuas while the site of Tzintzuntzan was one of the chief ceremonial sites of the ethnic group.  This was the immediate aftermath of the Aztec Empire that had existed previously for roughly a 100 years (1428-1521). The Mayan civilisation (centred in the Yucatan region) was soon to be followed and conquered by the Spanish while they were expanding towards central America. By the end of the 17th century, the last Mayan state was conquered by the Spanish giving rise to New Spain or Nveva Hispania.

The term Nveva Hispania appears on almost every 16th century maps. The Aztec and Mayan footprints still existed on early European maps that can be looked up even today. On a 1536 dated map of North America one can find names such as Tenustitan (that corresponds to the current day Tzintzuntzan), Guatimalla (Guatemala), Mexico, La Laguna etc. A certain 'Los Angeles' can be also seen marked near the town of Tlascala (Tlaxcala) on a 1688 dated map. By this time, settlements such as Mechoacan (Michoacan), Guadalajara, Compostella (Compostela), Guaxaca o Antiquara (Antequara), Talascala (Tlaxcala) etc. could be seen on these maps. 

Going further back to the earliest intervention of Spaniards on Mesoamerican grounds and analysing a map dating 1548, called Nueva Hispania Tabula Nova. One could see settlements such as following: 

• Alboseda (Arboredo)
• Tabursa (Tiburon)
• Viuola
• Vandras (Bahia de Banderas)
• Ciguata
• Santiago (referring to Rio Grande de Santiago that flows through the states of Jalisco and Nayarit)
• Aguataneo
• Acapulco
• Guatuleo (Zihuatanejo)
• Tutatipeg (Villa de Tututepec de Melchor Ocampo)
• Guatimala (Guatemala)
• Mexico (Mexico City)
• Villa Rica (Veracruz)
• Toatom
• Sieras (Sierra Madre de Chiapas)
• Panuco
• Islas de Sacrificios (near Veracruz)

A certain Rio Tontonteanc that could be either River Colorado or River Gila, marks the starting point of Mexico that today flows through the Baja California region of Mexico and entering Arizona. On this map, another unique feature is Yucatan (spelt as Ivcatam) is shown as an island with islets surrounding it such as Cocamel (Chactemal). The Gulf of California is mentioned as Mar Vermeio (even today a less common term for the waterbody is the Vermillion Sea) while the Pacific Ocean is Mar del Svr (or Mar del Sur meaning South Sea). Since the territories of the Southern States were hardly touched by the colonisers at this stage, the only significant colony was that of Florida. The Caribbean islands were partially touched by the Europeans with major islands such as Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola and few neighbouring islands being either explored, spotted or colonised. 

Below here is a recreated version of the Mexican map dating 1548 originally sketched by Giacomo Gastaldi, an Italian cartographer (1500-1566).