Maps by French cartographer, 1703-72

Jacques Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was a French hydrographer and cartographer who worked for the French Hydrographic Department and the French East India Company. He is considered one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century.

Bellin is best known for his work on the hydrographic charts of the French coast, which were considered to be some of the most accurate and detailed of the time. He also worked on a number of sea atlases, including the "Petit Atlas Maritime", which was first published in 1764 and contains over 600 maps.

In addition to his work on nautical charts and atlases, Bellin also produced maps of the French colonies in North America, including a detailed map of New France, which later became Canada. He also created maps of other parts of the world, including Africa and Asia.

Bellin's work had a significant impact on the field of cartography more... and many of his maps and charts were used by navigators and explorers well into the 19th century. He was also a member of several scientific societies, including the Royal Society in London and the Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris. less...