Early in his life, he had created detailed town plans in his unique style, e.g. a plan of Basel (1615) and a plan of Paris (1615). With Martin Zeiler (1589–1661), a German geographer, and later (circa 1640) with his own son, Matthäus Merian ("der Jüngere", i.e. "the Younger" or "Jr.") (1621–1687), he produced a series of "Topographia". The 21-volume set was collectively known as the "Topographia Germaniae". It includes numerous town plans and views, as well as maps of most countries and a World Map—it was such a popular work that it was re-issued in many editions. He also took over and completed the later parts and editions of the "Grand Voyages" and "Petits Voyages", originally started by de Bry in 1590 and included volumes "India Orientalis" and "America Occidentalis".