Antique map of Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, 1784

The map Carta Plana de la Isla de Santo Domingo, llamada también Española (1784) by Don Juan López is a significant example of late eighteenth-century Spanish cartography, reflecting both administrative precision and imperial interest in the Caribbean. It depicts the island of Hispaniola—today divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic—at a time when it held considerable strategic and economic importance for European colonial powers.

The map is presented in a “plana” or planimetric format, emphasizing accurate coastal outlines and internal divisions rather than dramatic perspective. The coastline is carefully traced, showing bays, capes, and anchorages essential for navigation. Ports and settlements are clearly marked, including the prominent colonial capital Santo Domingo, one of the earliest European cities in the Americas. Other towns and fortifications are distributed across the island, indicating the extent of Spanish control and settlement.

A notable feature of the map is the delineation of the boundary between the Spanish and French territories, reflecting the division formalized by treaties such as Ryswick (1697). The western portion, corresponding to French Saint-Domingue, is distinguished from the eastern Spanish colony, highlighting geopolitical realities of the period. Roads, rivers, and mountain ranges are included to provide geographic context and illustrate internal communication routes.

Relief is indicated through stylized mountain symbols, conveying the rugged terrain that shaped settlement patterns and economic activity. Rivers are prominently drawn, emphasizing their importance for agriculture and transport.

The map’s design is relatively restrained, focusing on clarity and legibility rather than elaborate decoration. Nevertheless, it likely includes a formal title cartouche and inscriptions that assert its authority and purpose.