Significant Shape on the Catalan Map of 1375
But the celebrated Catalan map of 1375[100] above mentioned introduced a significant novelty, converting the disc into an annulus of land—of course, still circular—surrounding a circular body of water dotted with islets ([Fig. 5]). The preferred explanation thus far advanced connects these islets with the Seven Cities of Portuguese and Spanish legend.[101] But there seem to be nine islands, not seven, and it is not clear what necessary relation exists between isles and cities nor whence the idea is derived of the central lake or sea as a background. Moreover, the Island of the Seven Cities was most often identified with Antillia far to the south, and there seems no warrant for identification with Brazil. All considered, this explanation seems arbitrary, inadequate, and unconvincing.
Fig. 5—Section of the Catalan map of 1375 showing the islands of Mayda and Brazil. (After Nordenskiöld’s photographic facsimile.)
The same ring form with inclosed water and islets is repeated by a map of the next century copied by Kretschmer.[102] It varies only by showing just seven islets, if we may rely for this detail on his handmade copy.