Abraham Ortelius — Epitome du theatre du monde (1601)

The regions of Europe (as we call them today) are Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Slavonia, Greece, Hungary, Poland with Lithuania, Muscovy, or more significantly Russia; and that peninsula in which Norway, Sweden, and Gothia lie. Of its islands, first occur England, Ireland, Greenland, and Frisland, situated in the Ocean. In the Mediterranean Sea, it has Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, Majorca, Minorca, Corfu, Euboea, and others of less importance, whose individual names and locations the map itself exhibits.

This Europe of ours, besides the Roman Empire, which is revered throughout the whole world, has over twenty-eight kingdoms—if you add the fourteen which Damianus à Goes counts in Spain alone—all imbued with the Christian religion; from which one may estimate the dignity of this region. It is a region fertile beyond measure, having a natural temperature and a sufficiently mild climate. Its abundance of all kinds of fruits, wine, and trees is not to be placed behind any, but is to be compared to the best regions; it is so pleasant and adorned with such cultivated cities, villages, and towns that, by the virtue of its peoples and nations, it is considered superior to other parts of the earth—even if smaller in form—and has always been so considered by all ancient writers, celebrated especially both for the Empire of the Macedonians and for the power of the Romans.

A detailed woodcut map of Europe. Major regions labeled include Hispania, Gallia, Germania, Italia, Graecia, Hungaria, Polonia, Prussia, Dania, Svecia, Norvegia, Finland, Russia, and Lituania. Island labels include Islandia, Hibernia, Anglia, Sicilia, Candia, and Cyprus. To the east, "Asia's part" shows labels like Tartaria, Armenia, and Syria. To the south, "Africa's part" includes cities like Marocho, Alger, and Alexandria. Various cities like Rome, Paris, and Constantinople are marked with small architectural vignettes. Major rivers like the Danube ("Danube river") and the Don ("Don river") are depicted, along with the Caspian Sea labeled "Bachu Sea".