A. Kofman's entertaining book presents the history of American exploration from a new and unusual perspective - as the history of the search for non-existent wonders that left traces on the map of the continent: the Amazon, Patagonia, Brazil, California, the Antilles... The reader will find out where ideas about mythical lands and their strange inhabitants, get acquainted with interesting excerpts from ancient chronicles and documents, trace the exciting and tragic vicissitudes of pioneering expeditions and be able to better understand the amazing spiritual makeup of the people of the era of great geographical discoveries. Written in lively language, the book is designed for a wide range of readers, despite the fact that many of the facts collected will be new even for professional historians. The book is richly illustrated with ancient maps and engravings.