FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-096

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (June 9, 2026) – This edition of Fun with Maps takes us on a sailing passage nearly 500 years ago.

ST. LAWRENCE

Jacques Cartier became the first European to sail the St. Lawrence Seaway when his ship entered the river on June 9, 1534. 

He claimed the territory for France as he continued his mission to find a northern passage to Asia and its treasure of spices.  Gold was always a hoped-for find in the explorations too.

Cartier returned to France after that trip, believing that he had indeed found the elusive passage.  He returned to explore deeper into the new country, never reaching Asia.  He was able to map some of the new land but was unsuccessful in establishing a colony due to the harshness of the winters.

Cartier was the person who named the new territory Canada and, along with Samuel de Champlain who expanded Cartier’s explorations, was responsible for the French claim to much of northern America.

Bellin created this map of the mouth of the St. Lawrence in 1754.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.