Module 2.3: Abraham Cresques Catalan Atlas - Humanities in Class Online Courses Forum

Africa is represented as a place of wealth, power, and importance

Jacqueline Wade — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:22:32 +0000

Looking closely at Abraham Cresques’ map, I noticed that Africa is represented as a place of wealth, power, and importance. At the center sits Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire, holding a large gold nugget. What stood out to me was that this wasn't the only gold depicted in Africa, suggesting the mapmaker recognized the continent's valuable resources and economic significance.

I found it interesting that Africa was not simply portrayed as an unfamiliar or empty land, but as a place with powerful leaders, established kingdoms, and connections to trade. However, the emphasis on gold also makes me wonder whether the mapmaker viewed Africa primarily through the lens of its wealth and what it could offer Europeans.

This activity reminds me that maps are not neutral. They reflect the knowledge, interests, and perspectives of the people who create them. As I develop my kindergarten curriculum, I want my students to see Africa beyond its natural resources and recognize the people, communities, leadership, and rich histories that have always existed across the continent.

Catalan Atlas

Jennifer Metzler — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 02:15:34 +0000

I was humbled studying this map, feeling really out of my element as I had to work to gain understandings and then felt like I was guessing at a lot of my assumptions. It was helpful to read the article; I needed that written text to support the visual map. The mapmaker used what tools he had in observation and recording to put on paper what he understood about the region. There are minute details which make me think he was basing it on accurate information, but the scale was way off, which might just be a reflection of mapmaker's perspectives at the time. The mapmaker I don't believe was from the area as what he chose to represent seems very Eurocentric. I'm really puzzled about why he would make this map. Who was his audience? In 1375 was mapmaking a respected and scholarly work? Was there a race to be the first to create this kind of product? Did that influence what he chose to include and not include? Seems I have more questions than answers.

Map Reflection

Christina Perez — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 20:48:23 +0000

It took me some time to make sense of the map, as I was originally looking for the shape of the whole continent of Africa. It seems that the mapmaker was particularly interested in (or only knew about) just North Africa though. The size and glory of the king holding the gold nugget shows how much the Europeans were interested in this natural resource and its wealth in the cities in West Africa. I wondered if the path with the brown circles was indication of a trade route from the gold riches in West Africa out to the eastern part of the continent and beyond. I also think I understand there to be 3 kings and 1 queen depicted in Africa and am guessing the mapmaker saw the importance of these individuals in the governing of different African kingdoms.

Map Reflection

Julie O'Neill — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 01:34:43 +0000

The mapmaker seems to view West Africa as a place of wealth (thanks to gold) and the map represents a desire of European trades to access that gold.

Reflections from ToRena

ToRena Webb — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 18:31:57 +0000

In viewing the map I was confused at first. There are many Gold nuggets and flags with nuggets at the end. There also seems to be pools of gold in some areas. The map shows which animals were used for traveling among the different locations. I also saw mermaids, something resembling a gargoyle, and attacking birds which makes me think of witch craft or sorcery. People in different sections were distinctly dressed differently from others and holding or near to different weaponry. Fish and other types of food were drawn on the map along with religious crosses. This map seems very Gold focused and maybe in it's entirety shows routes for trading for both ships and traveling by animals. There seemed to be people traveling from both ways to the African King. Maybe the map makers focus is material riches like gold, food, cloths and other trading goods. The map itself shows that the creator has a distinct focus and also doesn't understand the ways of Africans.

from Gold to the Scramble for Africa

Kelli Nicole Bivins — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:12:45 +0000

Students in Georgia (USA) take two years of World Studies from sixth to seventh grade. They pick up the story again in World History class, often taken in tenth grade. During that time they study the "discovery" of the New World by Christopher Columbus and other topics. This article, and the map, bring up a different possibility for the "accidental unearthing" of Columbus' findings. Rather than seeking a faster route to the markets of Asia, Howard French suggests that the impetus of the exploration was the desire to get at African gold.

Map Reflection- Tara Thomas

Tara Thomas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:14:23 +0000

The map revealed to me the importance of the search for wealth. Gold was etched throughout the map as was other items that could be used for trade or taken back to another country. Cities were also highlighted and labelled, and the wealth of kings was depicted by the crowns, scepters, and coins that surrounded them.

Mod 2.3

Francisca Miranda — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 04:49:27 +0000

What does this map reveal about the perspectives of the mapmaker about Africa

According to the text, "This king is the richest and noblest of all these lands due to the abundance of gold that is extracted from his lands." The mapmaker drew the king holding a scepter and golden coin to represent the abundance amount of gold he had. I believe the mapmaker wanted to emphasis that the king was in control of the land by putting him in the center of the "cities." The flag poles also have golden circles, which help me believe the mapmaker saw this area as a resource for gold. Therefore, I believe the mapmaker chose to represent Africa as a source of gold.

Reflection of the Map

XIUJUAN LI — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 21:50:59 +0000

The map shows that medieval Europeans had knowledge of West Africa’s wealth and political power. The king who is holding gold highlights the importance of gold in the region’s economy and its role in trans-Saharan trade. However, they may not have fully understood its different cultures and societies. It focuses a lot on kings and gold, so it shows only one side of Africa.

My Reflection of the Map

Eva Agyemang — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:59:35 +0000

When I look at this map, I notice how detailed and colorful it is, with drawings of people, animals, rulers, and different places. It makes me think about how the mapmaker viewed Africa and what they believed was important to show. The map seems to focus on the people, kingdoms, trade, and resources known to the mapmaker at that time. It also reminds me that maps reflect the knowledge and point of view of the person who creates them. As an educator, I think it is important for students to understand that Africa has a long history, many different cultures, and important connections with other parts of the world. We should look at old maps with curiosity, but also remember that one map cannot tell the whole story of a continent or its people.