Ceylan, et les Maldives Ceylon and the Maldives

A good early map of the important island chain of the Maldives and the island of Ceylon both of which were important stops for trade in the east. The Maldives were an important source of cowrie shells which the Maldivians cultivated by floating branches of coconut palms in the sea, to which the shells attached themselves. The other important product was coir, a fibre obtained from dried coconut husk which was cured in pits, beaten, spun and then twisted into cords and ropes. It&#8217s resistance to salt water made it much sought after for the rigging of the dhows that plied the Indian Ocean. Situated at the convergence of numerous trade routes between East and West and being a source of cinnamon and ivory, Sri Lanka had been an important stop for Arab and Chinese traders since ancient times and was later home to the sea ports of various European powers. Reflecting this colourful history, Sri Lanka possessed a variety of names Ptolemy called it Taprobana, the Arabs referred to it as Serendib, the Portuguese named it Ceil�o and during the Dutch and British periods, it was named Ceylon. From Cartes generales de la geographie ancienne et nouvelle ou les empires, monarchies, Royaumes.