Santa Cruz Map - Orientation of The Map

Orientation of The Map

The map is oriented so that the viewer observes the city and Valley of Mexico from the east. North, therefore, is to the left, south to the right, and west at the top of the map. Mexico City occupies the center of the map, drawn enlarged in relationship to the surrounding lakes and countryside, as befits its importance. All the buildings are drawn with their front facades facing the east, whether or not that was their actual orientation, so that they can be seen as though the viewer were standing in front of them.

Major streets are indicated, such as Tecuba Street. The new cathedral of Mexico City is shown by the central plaza. Other important edifices include the Viceregal Palace, the churches associated with the Augustinian, Dominican, and Franciscan Orders, and Hernan Cortés residence. Each major building had been built utilizing European architecture and is drawn with its characteristic architectural details, such as arches, so that the viewer would have an idea of how it actually appeared.

The lakes and marshes surrounding the city are represented accurately as they appeared in relation to the city; not in scale.