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The Great Pacific Ocean Map

John Bayly · 1772

The first printed map to include Cook's discoveries made during the Endeavour voyage, published in 1772.

The first printed map to incorporate Cook's Endeavour discoveries, showing his immediate impact on geography.

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Engraved 18th-century map of the Pacific Ocean in two parts: a long rectangular projection across the top labelled 'The Great Pacific Ocean' with China, Philippines, New Holland, California, Gulf of Mexico and South America, and a circular polar projection below labelled 'South Pacific Ocean' centred on the South Pole, showing New Zealand, Africa and South America.
The Great Pacific Ocean Map, published by John Bayly, London, 1772. State Library of New South Wales.

About this source

What it is

This engraved map, published by John Bayly in London in 1772, shows the Pacific Ocean in two projections, including a view centred on the South Pole. It was printed in limited runs on different papers and a copy is held by the State Library of New South Wales.

Why it matters

This was the first printed map to include James Cook's discoveries from his Endeavour voyage. It shows how quickly new information from Cook's expedition reached European mapmakers and reshaped understanding of the Pacific region, including the coastlines of New Zealand and other areas he charted.

Look closer

  • What differences can you spot between the shapes of landmasses on this map and modern maps?
  • Why might the mapmaker have included a separate polar projection?
  • What parts of the Pacific remain blank or uncertain, and what does that suggest about the limits of the information available?

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