Old Arabic Map of Arabian Peninsula by the Ottoman Army, 1897: Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Persian Gulf, UAE, Dubai, Red Sea

The 'Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea' map, originally published in 1897 by the General Staff of the Ottoman Army, is a remarkable piece of cartographic history. As a detailed political and physical map, it offers a comprehensive view of the Arabian Peninsula, capturing the essence of the region during the late 19th century. The map covers a broad geographic area, encompassing Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. It meticulously depicts political divisions and kingdoms, cities, villages, roads, trails, rivers, lakes, and mountains. The Nile River, one of the world's longest rivers, is beautifully represented from its source to its mouth, demonstrating the map's attention to detail.

This map's historical significance is further enhanced by its inclusion of the territories of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the United Arab Emirates, including the now globally significant cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Also featured are Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, and other crucial territories. Each region is depicted with precision, providing an intriguing insight into the political and physical landscape of the time. The map's depiction of these territories and their geopolitical context during the Ottoman era adds an extra layer of historical intrigue.

The map's style is another noteworthy aspect. The relief is shown by hachures, a method of depicting relief by using thin lines at an angle to the direction of slope. This method, popular in the 19th century, adds a touch of authenticity and artistic flair to the map. It also provides a tangible sense of the region's physical geography, including its mountains and other natural features. This artistic approach to cartography sets this map apart, making it not just a tool for understanding geography and history, but also a work of art.

The map's creation by the General Staff of the Ottoman Army adds an extra dimension of historical significance. As the Ottoman Empire was a major world power during the late 19th century, this map provides a unique perspective on how the empire viewed the Arabian Peninsula and its surrounding regions. The map's meticulous detail and comprehensive coverage reflect the strategic importance of these territories to the Ottoman Empire, offering a fascinating glimpse into the geopolitical dynamics of the era.

The 'Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea' map, published in 1897 by the General Staff of the Ottoman Army, encompasses several major cities, landmarks, and regions of historical significance. Here are some of the key features represented on this map:

Major Cities:

• Cairo, Egypt
• Khartoum, Sudan
• Mogadishu, Somalia
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Baghdad, Iraq
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Doha, Qatar
• Manama, Bahrain
• Muscat, Oman
• Sana'a, Yemen

National Landmarks:

• Nile River, Egypt
• Red Sea
• Persian Gulf
• Arabian Desert, Saudi Arabia
• Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Iraq
• Jebel Hafeet, United Arab Emirates
• Empty Quarter, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen

Historical Events (up to 20 years before 1897):

• Establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1932)
• British occupation of Egypt (1882)
• The Scramble for Africa impacting Sudan and Somalia (1881-1914)
• The Trucial States period in the United Arab Emirates (1820-1971)
• The establishment of the modern state of Iraq under Ottoman rule (1869)
• The discovery of oil in the Persian Gulf (late 19th century)

Please note that this map is in Arabic script.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.