A 16th century map of the colony of New Spain

A detailed map of 'New Spain' in south-west Mexico, showing Mexico City and Guadalajara. The title is surrounded by one of Ortelius' most elaborate strapwork cartouches. The map was first published in 1579, in the 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum', regarded as the first atlas in the modern sense of the word, with the maps designed to fit the book.