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Carte geographique de la Nouvelle Franse

Samuel de Champlain · 1612

Champlain's 1612 map of northeastern North America, combining his own surveys with Indigenous geographic knowledge.

A map made by Champlain himself, showing the results of his surveys and his use of Indigenous geographic knowledge.

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Sepia-toned engraved map titled 'Carte geographique de la Nouvelle Franse' showing the Atlantic coast, rivers, lakes, and decorative borders with compass roses, sailing ships, sea creatures, Native American figures, and a coat of arms.
Samuel de Champlain, Carte geographique de la Nouvelle Franse, 1612. Library and Archives Canada / John Carter Brown Library.

About this source

What it is

This engraved map, made by Samuel de Champlain in 1612, shows the Atlantic coast, rivers, lakes, and decorative features of northeastern North America. It is held today by Library and Archives Canada and the John Carter Brown Library.

Why it matters

The map reflects Champlain's own surveying work as well as geographic knowledge shared with him by Indigenous peoples. It shows how European exploration of North America depended on cooperation with Native nations, even as it served French colonial ambitions.

Look closer

  • What details on the map suggest it combines European and Indigenous knowledge?
  • Why do you think the map includes ships, sea creatures, and decorative borders?
  • What might the map not show or leave out?

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Front cover of a dark brown leather-bound book with gold-tooled decorative corner ornaments and a thin gold border frame on each panel, with a patterned gold-tooled spine band across the middle. The cover is closed and shows no visible title.Book

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Descripsion des costs, pts., rades, Illes de la Nouuele France

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First page of a handwritten French manuscript, Samuel de Champlain's testament, dated 1635. Cursive brown ink on aged yellowed paper with water stains, a stamp reading Archives Nationales, and a handwritten signature at the left margin. The text begins 'Au nom du Pere et du fils et du Saint Esprit'.Document

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Testament de Samuel Champlain

Samuel de Champlain · 17 November 1635

A bronze mariner's astrolabe in a glass display case. It has a ring at the top for hanging, a circular plate with engraved scale markings around the edge, four open spokes, and a central pivot with two alidade arms. A blurred old map is behind it.Artifact

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Mariner's Astrolabe

1603

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