This map is centred on the present day town of Kerch in the Crimea, Ukraine. On the site is the ancient Greek colony of Panticapaeum founded in the early sixth century B.C. It rapidly rose to importance being situated at a strategic location. It was published in Paris by Pierre Mariette in Nicolas Sanson’s ‘Les Cartes Generales’ first published in 1658. Sanson was France’s premier cartographer and helped to lift French work in this area to another level. His atlas is the first full world atlas to be produced in France. This work had been in development for several years as the dates on the various maps attest. Pastoureau, M. Sanson V, 161; Phillips, P.L. (Atlases) 4260.