What is the best known ancient Philippine map?

• A. Philippine Insulae
• B. Ma-yi
• C. Carta y hydugraphica y Chorographica de Las Islas Filipinas
• D. Rutter

Answer: (C)

The best-known ancient map of the Philippines is the Carta y hydugraphica y Chorographica de Las Islas Filipinas, commonly associated with Pedro Murillo Velarde and the engraver Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay. This map, published in the 18th century, stands out because it combines careful hydrographic detail with clear coastal outlines of the many islands, making it unusually accurate for its time. Its high quality, along with the detailed labeling, artistic elements, and wide circulation in both Manila and Europe, helped it become the standard reference that many later cartographers and navigators relied on. Other options refer to names or types rather than a specific, influential map, so they don’t carry the same prominence.