This is Mercator’s map of the Western Hemisphere, originally done in 1595. This map shows several of the fascinating exploration theories are shown on this map – including the large inland lake in Canada, the multiple islands of the North Polar Sea, the bulging South America and vast unknown southern continent. The St. Lawrence crosses half the continent. No sign of the English in Virginia. The search for a water course across North America is interrupted only by some mid-continental mountains. Evidence of the Spanish explorations in the Southwest is present and the Colorado and Gila Rivers already reflect a good knowledge of this area, as does the peninsular Baja California.