Map of Central America showing the different lines of Atlantic and Pacific Communication.

Central America from Mexico to the southern Panama, showing lines of communication between Atlantic & Pacific.

This is an early separate issue of Wyld’s map of Central America speculating on several routes which could potentially connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Although the search for the Northwest Passage was still ongoing, it was becoming increasingly obvious that it was unlikely that it would be practical for merchant shipping. Therefore, the most likely course of action to connect the two Oceans would be to build a canal through Central America. This map shows the three most likely routes: The first through the Isthmus of Panama, the second through Lake Nicaragua and the third through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico. The sea areas of the map contain landscape profiles to indicate land elevation around the routes and on the left is an inset showing the geological detail of the region associated with the route through the Isthmus of Panama, believed to be the earliest published geological survey of Panama.

Later issues of this map would be introduced into Wyld “New General Atlas” but this example is folding separate issue. Original colour. [WIND4348]