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When Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) was discovered in 1642 by Abel Tasman, it appeared on contemporary maps as an isolated coastline. Its insular nature would not be confirmed for another 150 years.

Map Myths

@mapmyths.com

When more of the Australian coastline became charted, particularly following Captain Cook's visit to the east coast in 1770, cartographers became increasingly confident that Van Diemen's Land was connected to its larger neighbour.

7/8/26, 4:59 pm2 reposts4 likes

Map Myths

@mapmyths.com

7 Aug

It would not be until 1798-99 when Matthew Flinders and George Bass sailed through Bass Strait that Tasmania was definitively determined to be an island. In 1856, Van Diemen's Land was renamed Tasmania in honour of the first European to visit the island. mapmyths.com/van-diemen's...