The first Europeans to reach America sought a route through the unknown continent to the riches of the Orient--the fabled "passage to Cathay." The search would motivate traders, foreign governments, glory-seekers, and private investors for the next three hundred years. As they explored the coasts and penetrated the interior of the continent, often with the help of native information, they slowly mapped the land. Geographic myths persisted. Was there a River of the West? A great sea occupying half the country? Where was the Northwest Passage? Some chased rumours of cities paved with gold, others sought souls to convert. Here are all their fascinating stories. Whether colonizers or railway surveyors, missionaries or scientists, they were all explorers, and their exploits almost always had political ramifications. By filling in the map of North America they influenced the course of history and ultimately changed the map of the world.

Derek Hayes is the author of the bestselling Historical Atlas Series, which includes the Historical Atlas of Canada, Historical Atlas of Vancouver and the Lower Fraser Valley, Historical Atlas of Toronto and Historical Atlas of the United States. He holds two degrees in geography and worked for a time as a planner with the Vancouver City Planning Department and as a real estate consultant. He lives in White Rock, B.C.

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"The narrative is very engaging, with tales of brave explorers risking life and limb in their travels into the unknown."

"Overall though, the book is very thorough and attractive, a delight to both sight and touch... America Discovered should be added to any academic or public library collection, and to the coffee tables of map aficionados and history buffs everywhere."

WAML Information Bulletin

"America Discovered by geographer Derek Hayes is a marvelously crafted visual work."

OHQ

"...a sensitive collection of seductive maps as texts and works of art combined with an informed historical imagination."

"...illuminated by superbly reproduced maps and vignettes, a scholarly exegesis, and a comprehensive overview of the development of cartography."

"This is another prize-winning candidate from Hayes."

Choice (Current Reviews for Academic Libraries)