America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

Lakes of New-Spain.

There are likewise many fair Lakes in this Province, but the principal are those of Chapala and Mexico: the former of which is in the more Northern parts of the Kingdom, towards the Borders of New Gallicia, and is chiefly famous for the abundance of good Salt that is yearly made and Transported thence. The other of Mexico is one of the largest and goodliest in the World, of circular form (as some say) little less than nine hundred Miles in compass, environ’d with the main Land, the Peninsula, or Cape of Florida, Jucatan, and the Island Cuba, having two onely Passages in and out, and both of them well fortifi’d: the one betwixt the Point of Jucatan and the Isle Cuba, where the Tyde violently enters; and the other betwixt the said Island and the Cape of Florida, where it goeth as violently out: upon which Gulf the King of Spain hath always some good Ships in readiness for all occasions; and by them, ’tis suppos’d, he doth more assure his Estates in those parts of America, than by all the Garrisons besides.

The whole Kingdom of Mexico, or New Spain, is subdivided into these Inferior Provinces:

The several Provinces.

1. The Arch-bishoprick of Mexico. 2. The Bishoprick, Mechoacon. 3. Los Angelos, or Tlascale. 4. Guaxaca. 5. The Lordship Panuco: And 6. the Province Tabasco.

Mexico, the chief Province of New-Spain, so denominated from Mexico the chief City, not only of the Province, but of all America; lying between Tlascale and Mechoacan, extends in length from North to South, a hundred and seventeen Leagues; and in breadth along the Southern Ocean, seventeen, but up in the Countrey, fifty four Leagues: In which circumference lie to the North-East, Lateotlalpa, Mextitlan, Xilotepeque, and Panuco; Westward, Matalzingo, and Cultepeque; Eastward, Tuzcoco; South-East, Chalco; Southward, Suchimilco, Tlaluc, Coyxca, and Acapulco.

Bounds of Mexicana.

It is bounded on the East, with the Gulf of Mexico; on the West, with Mechoacan; on the North, with Panuco, and some parts of New-Gallicia; and on the South, with Tlascalla.

Nature of the Countrey.