Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain. Plan - Public domain old map
Summary
Architectural drawing shows plaza.
Caption on verso: "Planta de la Plaza maior de Madrid. Juan Thomas de Mora."
Although the name on the drawings is Juan Thomas de Mora, it should probably be Juan Gómez de Mora, who worked on the Plaza Mayor.
Date based on the date on similar drawings in the group.
Transfer; LC Geography and Map Division; (PR 13 CN 1993:224)
Accession box no. DLC/PP-1993:224 (MCD size) LM-ND-9-30
In the 17th century, maps took a huge leap forward. Mathematical and astronomical knowledge necessary to make accurate measurements had evolved. English mathematicians had perfected triangulation: navigation and surveying by right-angled triangles. Triangulation allowed navigators to set accurate courses and produced accurate land surveys. Seamen learned to correct their compasses for declination and had determined the existence of annual compass variation. Latitude determination was greatly improved with the John Davis quadrant. The measurement of distance sailed at sea was improved by another English invention, the common log. Longitudinal distance between Europe and Québec was determined by solar and lunar eclipses by the Jesuit Bressani in the 1640s and by Jean Deshayes in 1686. With accurate surveys in Europe, the grid of the modern map began to take shape.
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