The Nautical Planisphere created by Nicolo de Caverio between 1502 and 1506 represents the world as it was known in 1505. The African coast is depicted in great detail, with the place names of all ports along the route to the Indies. Southern Africa, explored for the first time between 1484 and 1499, is adorned with ten stone columns carved with the arms of Portugal, one for every time a navigator stepped ashore into uncharted territory.