Columbus "discovered" America in 1592?

Greetings Korben
With regards to this post I thought here is something I can contribute unless already some one has. There is a very fascinating book which I am still trawling through of many, called "1421"!

It was published 2002 and written by "Gavin Menzies", a former submarine commander. He was born in China 1937 and since his seafaring knowledge which is extensive to say the least has retired, but has visited 120 countries and some 900 museums and libraries and far more besides in order of tracking down what the Chinese succeeded at well before Columbus etc.

He has his own sight for reference and review www.1421.tv THE YEAR CHINA DISCOVERED THE WORLD. the result of fifteen years research and It became a best seller Kindest regards Brett.

The dating of 1592 AD converges well with the actual beginning of the colonization of North America about 40 years after. I always thought it was kind of akward that North and Central/South America were explored after more than a century.

But we have aproblem with this map supposedly from 1587 (is87) by Urbano Monte

Translation: "made by Urbano Monte, the year is87 after the Nativity of our Lord"

Fascinating. That 8 looks like this 4 - δ. S could be 6 - .