The title of this post does not refer to the science fiction novel of the same name by Jules Verne. It refers to the phantom island Frisland which was commonly shown on maps of the North Atlantic Ocean during the 16th and 17th centuries. Frisland never existed, however, cartographers believed that the island was real because of a map published in 1558 known as the Zeno map. An image of the Zeno map is featured above. Frisland is shown directly south of Islanda (Iceland).
The story about the mythical island and the Zeno map evolved because of two Venetian brothers Nicolo and Antonio Zeno. During the medieval period the Zeno family acquired fame and fortune. Nicolo and Antonio were noted 14th century navigators. A third brother Carlo was a wealthy merchant and war hero. A descendant of the Zeno family claimed that he discovered letters written by Nicolo and Antonio about their travels to the North Atlantic. A map was found with the letters. In 1558 the letters and accompanying map were printed by a Venetian publisher named Francesco Marcolini. An English translation was published in 1600. The translated title is as follows: The discouerie of the isles of Frisland, Iseland, Engroneland, Estotiland, Drogeo and Icaria: made by two brethern, namely M. Nicholas Zeno, and M. Antonio his brother.