In October 1800, Frenchman Nicolas Baudin was selected to lead what has become known as the Baudin expedition to map the coast of New Holland. He had two ships, Géographe and Naturaliste. He reached Australia in May 1801, being the first to explore and map much of the southern coast of the continent. The scientific expedition was a great success, with more than 2500 new species described, much of the continent accurately charted and many place names bestowed.Many Western Australian places still have French names today from Baudin's expedition (Peron Peninsula, Depuch Island, Cape Levillain, Boullanger Island and Faure Island).
In April 1802, the Le Naturaliste under Hamelin explored the area of Western Port, Victoria, and gave names to places, a number of which have survived to today. Ile des Français is now called French Island.
Publication of the volumes giving the official account of the expedition, Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes, and the associated atlases, was authorized by Napoléon on 4 August 1806. Louis de Freycinet, took over responsibility for the final volumes and cartography. A controversy arose with the publication of the volumes and maps including the application of French names to many geographic features and coasts already explored and named by other navigators, particularly Flinders.
The Freycinet map, Novvelle Hollande was published in the second part of Atlas Historique in 1811, three years ahead of Finders, making it the first full map of Australia published, and marking the culmination of over 200 years of putting Australia on the map. It is referred to as a 'full' map of Australia, as the term ‘complete’ map is not strictly correct in relation to both the Freycinet and the Flinders maps. Both have numerous small gaps where some features were missed.
Ready-to-hang framed print on premium 200 gsm matte (uncoated) paper, shatterproof transparent plexiglass - includes hanging kit. Reproduced from the original chart and digitally printed.
