Danckers, Justus. Novi Belgii. Amsterdam, c. 1684. [New England]

Justus Danckers

Novi Belgii 

Amsterdam, c. 1684

20" x 24"

This important late 17th-century map depicts Novi Belgii, the region of New Netherland in North America, encompassing parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Created during a period of intense colonial competition, the map reflects the Dutch legacy in the region even after the English had taken control in 1664.

Danckerts’s map highlights key settlements such as Nieuw Amsterdam (modern-day New York City), along with indigenous villages, rivers, and fortifications, showcasing the region’s strategic importance for trade and settlement. The detailed coastal outline demonstrates growing European geographic knowledge of the Eastern Seaboard, while inland territories remain more speculative. Decorative elements, including ships and vignettes, underscore the economic ambitions tied to this resource-rich land.

As one of the most significant representations of New Netherland, Novi Belgii offers a glimpse into the colonial struggles of the 17th century and the early mapping of North America’s Atlantic coast.