The first map to name America

In 1507, German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller created the Universalis Cosmographia, the first map to show the Americas as a separate continent. This groundbreaking map, drawn from explorer accounts like Amerigo Vespucci's, boldly labeled the southern landmass 'America' in his honor. This was a huge shift, challenging old world maps and helping Europeans understand Earth had four continents. Only one complete copy of this monumental map survives today, now housed in the Library of Congress.