The Spanish contribution to the exploration and charting of the South Pacific (1770–75): Knowledge exchange in the South Sea

Spanish maritime cartography advanced significantly during the Age of Enlightenment, with three key expeditions (1770–75) charting vast areas of the South Pacific, including Easter Island and the Tuamotu Archipelago. These efforts, led by Captain Don Felipe González de Ahedo and Domingo de Bonechea Andonaegui, produced approximately ninety detailed charts, rivaling contemporary British explorations like those of James Cook. The research highlights the Spanish Crown's systematic approach to exploration, combining navigational precision with knowledge exchange between Spanish and local experts. Archival records from institutions such as the Real Academia de la Historia (Madrid) and the Archivo General de Indias (Seville) provide evidence of this collaborative cartographic achievement.

Altic, M. (2022). The Spanish contribution to the exploration and charting of the South Pacific (1770–75): Knowledge exchange in the South Sea. Journal of New Zealand & Pacific Studies, 10(2), 157–180. https://doi.org/10.1386/nzps_00126_1