Carta Esferica de una Parte de la costa Setentrional y Meridional de la Isla de Cuba

Large-format sea chart, published in 1837, engraved and produced by the Hydrographic Directorate of Spain. It represents the western portion of Cuba and its surrounding waters, during the colonial period. The map illustrates the challenges of navigation on the south-western coast, particularly the approach to Batabanó, highlighting the numerous cays (among them, Cayos de San Felipe, Cayo Largo and Cayo de la Pipa), extensive sandbanks (notably the Banco de los Jardines and Jardinillos to the south) and scattered islets. Soundings, hazards, shoals and other crucial navigation information are recorded throughout the map, with the abbreviations and symbols explained in a key located near the lower left. The longitude is measured with reference to Cádiz, specifically to the Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada, in San Fernando. The presence of some manuscript annotations suggests that the map had real use at sea. Nautical maps were essential tools aboard ships and were often profusely annotated with navigation notes. After the publication of updated maps, the old versions were generally discarded, which explains their current scarcity. Only one other physical copy could be located, in the National Library of Spain (BNE), as recorded in WorldCat/OCLC. Full title: Carta Esférica de una Parte de la Costa Setentrional y Meridional de la Isla de Cuba desde punta Icacos y Cayo de Piedras hasta el Cabo San Antoino, con la Isla de Pinos y Cayos adyacentes. Hoja 2ª.