Abraham Ortelius (; also Ortels, Orthellius, Wortels; 4 or 14 April 152728 June 1598) was a cartographer, geographer, and cosmographer from Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands. He is recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, the (Theatre of the World). Along with Gemma Frisius and Gerardus Mercator, Ortelius is generally considered one of the founders of the Netherlandish school of cartography and geography. He was a notable figure of this school in its golden age (approximately 1570s–1670s) and an important geographer of Spain during the age of discovery. The publication of his atlas in 1570 is often considered as the official beginning of the Golden Age of Netherlandish cartography. He was the first person proposing that the continents were joined before drifting to their present positions.
Abraham Ortelius (; also Ortels Orthellius Wortels; 4 or 14 April 152728 June 1598) was a cartographer geographer and cosmographer from Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands He is recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas the (Theatre of the World) Along with Gemma Frisius and Gerardus Mercator Ortelius is generally considered one of the founders of the Netherlandish school of cartography and geography He was a notable figure of this school in its golden age (approximately 1570s–1670s) and an important geographer of Spain during the age of discovery The publication of his atlas in 1570 is often considered as the official beginning of the Golden Age of Netherlandish cartography He was the first person proposing that the continents were joined before drifting to their present positions