Old Map of the Low Countries by Willem Blaeu, 1630

Willem Blaeu’s Map of the Seventeen Provinces

Willem Blaeu published this magnificent map of the Low Countries in Amsterdam in 1630. Its Latin title, Novus XVII Inferioris Germaniae Provinciarum Typus, describes the Seventeen Provinces that historically encompassed present-day Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, together with adjoining areas of northern France and western Germany.

The words Inferioris Germaniae are a historical Latin description of the Low Countries and should not be interpreted as meaning modern Germany. This distinction is important because the map’s present product title identifies its subject incorrectly.

Map Details

• Original title: Novus XVII Inferioris Germaniae Provinciarum Typus
• English title: A New Map of the Seventeen Provinces of the Low Countries
• Cartographer and publisher: Willem Janszoon Blaeu
• Published: Amsterdam, 1630
• Atlas: Atlantis Appendix
• Historic subject: The Seventeen Provinces
• Modern countries represented: Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg
• Additional territory: Parts of northern France and western Germany
• Original format: Copperplate engraving
• Orientation: North is towards the right
• Notable features: Sailing ships, compass rose, provincial boundaries, towns, rivers, coats of arms, scale bars and decorative cartouches

The Low Countries in 1630

Blaeu’s map appeared during the Eighty Years’ War, when the political unity once represented by the Seventeen Provinces had already fractured. The northern provinces formed the emerging Dutch Republic, while much of the south remained under Spanish Habsburg rule.

Despite this division, the traditional concept of the Seventeen Provinces remained geographically and culturally meaningful. Blaeu therefore presents the Low Countries as a single recognisable region rather than separating the Dutch Republic from the Spanish Netherlands.

The map records a densely settled landscape of commercial towns, fortified cities, river systems and provincial territories. Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Utrecht, Rotterdam and numerous smaller settlements can be found among its exceptionally detailed place names.

Ships and the Oceanus Germanicus

The North Sea, labelled Oceanus Germanicus, occupies the upper portion of the engraving. Numerous sailing vessels cross its waters, ranging from small coastal craft to imposing merchant ships.

These maritime decorations are more than ornamental. They reflect the importance of seaborne trade to the ports of the Netherlands and Flanders during the seventeenth century. A prominent compass rose reinforces the nautical character of this part of the map.

The unusual orientation places north towards the right. France consequently appears along the left side, the German lands towards the bottom and the North Sea across the top.

Cartouches, Arms and Provincial Detail

An elaborate title cartouche occupies the upper-right corner, accompanied by allegorical figures and heraldic decoration. On the opposite side, another ornamental panel lists the provinces and provides explanatory information.

The French royal arms appear near the western edge, while several scale bars are positioned in the lower-right corner. Hand-applied colour distinguishes political boundaries and brings clarity to an exceptionally dense network of towns, rivers and roads.