The Map Myth of Bermeja Island
Bermeja Island was mapped for hundred of years by cartographers off the coast of Mexico yet no evidence has been found to prove its existence.
Here Be Dragons: The Facts and Fictions of Mapmakers
A common myth is that ‘Hic Sunt Dracones’ (here be dragons) was used frequently on maps throughout history.
![[Map of California shown as an island], Joan Vinckeboon, ca. 1650.](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAwIDcxNCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNzE0IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3Lmdlb2dyYXBoeXJlYWxtLmNvbSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMSUyRjA4JTJGbWFwLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEtaXNsYW5kLTE2NTAtVmluY2tlYm9vbnMuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEwMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNzE0IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
California as an Island
Well into the 17th and 18th centuries, cartographers created maps of the region showing California separated from the mainland by a strait.
Review | Phantom Islands: In Search of Mythical Lands
In this book, Dirk Liesener provides the life-stories of islands, some thirty of them, which though thought to exist in some cases for many centuries turned out to either not be an island or to have never existed to start with.
The Map Myth of Sandy Island
Sandy Island near Australia has long appeared on maps even though it doesn’t exist.