EARLY FRENCH MAPPING OF THE WESTERN INTERIOR OF CANADA: A VIEW FROM HUDSON BAY

• Published in: Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization
• Main Author: RAY, ARTHUR J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress) 1972
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Hudson Bay
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/k563-1203-2338-k618; https://utpjournals.press/doi/pdf/10.3138/K563-1203-2338-K618

This article examines three hitherto unpublished French maps of the western interior of Canada which were apparently drafted sometime between 1724 and 1741. Investigation reveals that these maps were based largely upon the information supplied by Nicolas Jérémie, who was an important officer at Fort Bourbon (York Factory) under the French. The maps constitute a cartographic style which is quite distinct from those that have already been identified. Furthermore, they allow us to retrace the steps involved in their construction from initial sketch drawing to final map copy. Finally, they provide a better picture of the geography of the region than do most other maps which were drawn during the early 18th century.