An American Treasure Turns Up at the U. of Munich
In a lesson for researchers everywhere, a new version of the famous map from which the Americas derive their name was discovered days ago in the University of Munich Library.
The document, found in a volume at the U. of Munich Library, shows the name “America” applied to the continent now known as South America. (Photo by U. of Munich Library)
In 1507 German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller first used the name “America” for the New World in mistaken honor of the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who he thought had discovered the continents.