Sri Lanka - India, Sri Lanka, Ceylon, Colombo; La Haye / P. de Hondt / J.N. Bellin - Carte de l'Isle de Ceylan - 1721-1750

This antique map titled "Carte de l'Isle de Ceylan" depicts Sri Lanka, historically known as Ceylon, along with portions of southern India and Colombo, the island's capital. Created between 1721 and 1750 by cartographers such as La Haye, P. de Hondt, and J.N. Bellin, this map offers a fascinating glimpse into early 18th-century European geographic knowledge and colonial interests in the Indian Ocean region. During this period, Sri Lanka was a competitive hub for Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial powers due to its strategic location on the maritime trade routes between Europe and Asia. Maps like this served not only navigational purposes but also territorial claims and the planning of trade and military operations. The detailed rendering of coastlines and key ports reflects the cartographers' reliance on explorers' reports, nautical charts, and early surveying techniques. Such historic maps provide important context for understanding the development of cartography, colonial history, and the maritime significance of Sri Lanka and its neighboring regions.