Hondius Map of America, 1619

Henricus Hondius (1597-1651) was a Dutch cartographer, engraver, and publisher who is considered one of the most important mapmakers of the 17th century. He was born in Amsterdam, the son of the cartographer Jodocus Hondius, and he learned the art of mapmaking from his father. In 1606, he published his first map, a world map based on the work of Gerardus Mercator. This map was a great success, and it helped to establish Hondius's reputation as a leading cartographer.

 Over the next few decades, Hondius produced a wide variety of maps, including maps of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. He also published a number of atlases, including the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, which was one of the most popular atlases of the 17th century. Hondius's maps were known for their accuracy and detail, and they were used by explorers, merchants, and scholars all over Europe.

 Hondius died in Amsterdam in 1651. He was a highly accomplished cartographer and publisher, and his work had a significant impact on the development of cartography in the 17th century.