Terra incognita is a term used in exploration for "unknown territory" that has not been mapped or documented. An urban legend claims that cartographers labelled such regions with "Here be dragons". Although cartographers did claim that fantastic beasts (including large serpents) existed in remote corners of the world, only one surviving map actually says "Here be dragons". (Actually the Latin, "hic sunt dracones"). Terra incognita may also refer to the imaginary continent Terra Australis.

Researchers use the phrase metaphorically to describe any unexplored subject or field of research.

See also

• Lost continent

External links

• "Here be Dragons" on Old Maps

Cartography | Latin phrases

Terra incognita