Antique map of the Sea of the West, 1776

The map "Carte Des Nouvelles Decouvertes Au Nord de la Mer du Sud, Tant a l'Est de la Siberie et du Kamtchatka, Qua l'Ouest de la Nouvelle France," is commonly known as the "Sea of the West" map. It was initially created by Philippe Buache, a French geographer, and then published by François Santini in 1776.

The map depicts a speculative northwest passage or "Sea of the West" connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, which was a subject of great interest and exploration during that time. The map shows the northern regions of the Pacific, including the coastlines of Siberia (east of Kamchatka) and the western part of North America, known as New France (which corresponds to present-day Canada and parts of the United States).

It's important to note that the existence of the "Sea of the West" or a navigable northwest passage was a topic of debate and exploration in the 18th century. The map reflects the geographical knowledge and theories of the time, which were often based on limited information and speculative assumptions.

Philippe Buache was a French geographer and cartographer who lived from 1700 to 1773. He was a prominent figure in the field of cartography during the 18th century and made significant contributions to the understanding of geography and mapmaking.

Buache was born in Paris, France, and was a member of the influential Buache family, which included several notable geographers. He initially studied law but later turned his attention to geography and cartography, becoming a pupil of the renowned geographer Guillaume Delisle.

Buache's work focused on improving the accuracy and scientific basis of cartography. He introduced new methods for depicting coastlines and river systems more accurately and pioneered the use of mathematical principles in mapmaking. Buache emphasized the importance of gathering and incorporating the latest scientific data and exploration findings into his maps.

One of Buache's notable contributions was his proposal of a hypothetical landmass in the southern hemisphere called Terra Australis Incognita. This idea, based on the notion of balancing the land masses in the northern and southern hemispheres, influenced the mapping of the Pacific region and the subsequent exploration of Australia.

Buache also explored the concept of river systems, particularly in relation to the Mississippi River and the possibility of a northwest passage. His work contributed to the understanding of the river's course and helped dispel certain myths and misconceptions surrounding it.

Buache's maps were highly regarded for their accuracy and scientific approach. His maps were widely circulated and influenced the work of other cartographers of his time. He also trained a new generation of geographers, including his nephew Jean-Nicolas Buache and his son-in-law Jean-Claude Dezauche, who continued his cartographic legacy.