Europa Regina and Iceland as Old Maps

Old maps can be such fascinating views not only into geographic features but as to how cultures view their world. The first map is Europa Regina first envisioned in the 1500s that shows Europe in the shape of a queen. This individual map circa 1530 AD was made for Holy Roman Emperor Charles V showing his claim to rule Europe with Iberia as the crown of his kingdom and Bohemia as its heart. Per Wikipedia, "The most obvious connections to the Holy Roman Emperor are the Carolingian crown and the imperial insignia - sceptre and orb. Another connection to Charles V is the gown, which resembles the contemporary dress code at the Habsburg court, and the face of the queen, which some say resembles Charles V's wife Isabella. As in contemporary portraits of couples, Europa regina has her head turned to her right and also holds the orb with her right hand, which has been interpreted as facing and offering power to her imaginary husband, the emperor."

The second map shows the 16th century view of of Iceland, surrounded by monsters of the deep.