Shaping the Cartography of Southwestern Africa

Coastal Charts and Orientation Maps of the Interior, 1502–1902

Authors

  • Dr Imre Demhardt University of Texas Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66365/jnss.2025.01

Keywords:

Cartography, Southwestern Africa, Portuguese Discovery, Enlightenment, Nineteenth Century

Abstract

A dangerous barren coast, a harsh interior environment, and at times violent conflicts among its inhabitants were
all obstacles to the exploration and mapping of southwestern Africa. Looking back on more than five hundred
years of mapped history, Namibia nevertheless boasts one of the richest cartographic heritages of the African
countries south of the equator. For a concise orientation on significant milestones of that extensive cultural heritage,
this paper selects for discussion sixteen outstanding coastal charts and orientation maps of the interior1 from
the four centuries between the years 1502 and 1902. For the continuity of contextual circumstances that drove
the cartographic unveiling of southwestern Africa, this paper presents the selected charts and maps in a chronological
order from the time of the Portuguese discovery until the eve of the major cartographical changes brought
about by the Herero and Nama uprisings.

Author Biography

  • Dr Imre Demhardt, University of Texas

    Imre Josef Demhardt is a historian and geographer and since 2008 Professor &
    Garrett Chair in the History of Cartography at the University of Texas at Arlington
    (USA). His research interests include European overseas exploration and the evolution
    of mapping of many corners of the globe. Imre is frequent research visitor
    to Namibia since 1988 and has been named Corresponding Member of the
    Namibia Scientific Society.

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Published

2026-04-22

Issue

Vol. 72 (2025): Journal of the Namibia Scientific Society

Section

Articles

License

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How to Cite

Shaping the Cartography of Southwestern Africa: Coastal Charts and Orientation Maps of the Interior, 1502–1902. (2026). Journal of the Namibia Scientific Society, 72, 12. https://doi.org/10.66365/jnss.2025.01