Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (also Ortelius atlas ) is considered the first modern and first commercially successful Atlas. The published by Abraham Ortelius Atlas was first printed on May 20, 1570 Antwerp and consists of a collection of map sheets that are completed by a text bound in book form. The Ortelius atlas is regarded as a summary of the cartographic knowledge of the 16th century.

Many of the maps contained in the atlas are based on sources which either no longer exist or are very rare. Ortelius has the Atlas appended a unique source list with the names of contemporary cartographers.

After the first publication of the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ortelius has the Atlas revised at regular intervals and expanded until his death in 1598 reissued it several times in different formats.

The scope of the Atlas grew thereby and by subsequent revisions of originally 70 cards and 87 bibliographic references in the 1612 edition appeared 31 to 167 cards and 183 references.