This map shows the network of rivers and tributaries flowing through northern Brazil. The map focuses on the Rio Branco, one of the main tributaries to the Rio Negro, and several smaller tributaries, including the Caratirimani, Uararicapará, Majari, Tacutú, and Mahú rivers. The rivers flow out of the ridges and mountain ranges separating Brazil from Venezuela and Guyana. The map is by José Joaquin Freire (17?-1847), a Portuguese naval officer, cartographer, draftsman, and watercolorist who, in 1783-92, was a member of the Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira expedition sent to Pará, Amazonas, and Mato Grosso by the Real Gabinete de História Natural do Museu de Ajuda de Lisboa, by order of Empress Maria I. Freire was responsible for preparing drawings and watercolors of fauna and flora, the culture of the native populations, and views of towns and villages.