Cosa, Juan de la (c. 1450-1509)

The world map made by Juan de la Cosa in 1500. This section shows the Mediterranean and North Africa, and demonstrates the increasing accuracy with which cartographers were able to depict the coastlines of Europe and the known shores of Africa. De la Cosa crossed the Atlantic Ocean with Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Spanish navigator and cartographer who accompanied Columbus on his voyage in 1492, as pilot. He held the same position under Alonzo de Hojeda in 1499, and in 1504 himself led an expedition to North America; in 1509 he was appointed alguazil (mayor) over Uraba (Darien in present-day Panama).

He executed two very important coloured maps on vellum, one showing Spanish dominions in Africa in 1500, and the other showing the lands discovered by Columbus and his successors.

He was born in Calabria, Spain. Before sailing with Columbus he explored parts of the west coast of Africa. He was killed during a skirmish between the Spaniards and the Indians at Tabasco, Mexico.