The maps were not intended to provide just cartographical information but were to be appreciated and desired as objects in their own right. To this end the were often highly decorated and coloured. A fine example is his map of Iceland (Islandia) showing mountain ranges, fjords, glaciers and the Mt Hekla volcano (enlarged below)

There are Polar Bears shown floating on Icebergs top right and in the seas are a fine collection of Sea Monsters (the greatest number to be shown on one map).