Terra Australis

The Spaniards who were confident of the existence of Terra Australis dispatched many navigator explorers after conquering Central and South America. But finally in 1605, they gave up on finding Terra Australis. Ironically Terra Australis was discovered by the Dutch soon after.

In 1606, Janz reached Cape York and in 1642, Tasman, after discovering Tasmania and New Zealand, landed on the western and northern coast of Australia. The Dutch, however, felt it unattractive for trading and did not pursue further expeditions.

The next person to arrive in Australia was the Englishmen, Captain Cook. And in 1770, the New South Wales region was declared as English territory.

Finally, Australia became known among the Europeans. But strangely enough, its existence was already predicted long time ago. No one should have visited the place, but Terra Australis was depicted on the early map of Europe as a shape of a mitten very close to where it is currently located.

When Europeans first arrived in Australia, Aborigines were already living there. It would be natural to think that some other races had previously landed on Australia. It may be possible that in time immemorial, Indians and Arabs who had contact with aborigines may had notified the Europeans of its existence through trading. Or the existence of Australia may have been common knowledge among the traders of India and Arabs that Europeans were the sole group ignorant of such knowledge.

In fact, it is known that by the 17th century, the Makassars of Indonesia traveled southward to the northern region of Arnhemland to obtain marine products. They processed and traded in seafood such as trepang and known to had some influence on the cultures and languages of the aborigines.

Translated by Rie Ishida