This document provides background information on Urbano Monte, a 16th century Italian cartographer, and his remarkable 60-sheet manuscript world map from 1587. It discusses Monte's family and upbringing in Milan, his scholarly interests in geography later in life, and his ambition to publish his geographic treatise and planisphere. The map, which is over 3 meters in diameter, is one of the largest maps from the 16th century. It provides insight into geographic knowledge and cartographic techniques of the late Renaissance period. The document also notes the map's recent acquisition and digitization, allowing it to now be studied in depth for the first time.