Rare Old Map of Colombia, 1939: Coffee Regions, Andes, Bogotá, Medellín, Railroads

The "Coffee Map of the Republic of Colombia" is a captivating artifact from 1939, meticulously crafted by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. This map was created for the San Francisco International Exposition, showcasing Colombia's prominence as the world's largest producer of mild coffees. It is a testament to the country's rich coffee heritage, highlighting the intricate network of coffee production areas, marked with red squares and triangles to indicate regions with varying densities of coffee trees. This thematic map serves as a historical snapshot of Colombia's coffee industry at its zenith.

The map provides a detailed view of Colombia, emphasizing its coffee production regions and the infrastructure supporting this vital industry. It includes tables and legends that offer insights into the distances from principal coffee centers to ocean shipping ports, as well as the steamship companies that transported Colombian coffee to Europe and America. The map also presents the "Coffee Census" of 1938, offering a fascinating glimpse into the agricultural landscape of the time.

Colombia's diverse geography is vividly depicted, with the Andean mountain range prominently featured, illustrating the varied terrain that contributes to the country's unique coffee-growing conditions. The map also highlights national boundaries, department divisions, and key transport routes such as railroads and highways, painting a comprehensive picture of the nation's logistical landscape. The inclusion of cableways and lighthouses further underscores the complexity and reach of Colombia's coffee trade network.

In addition to its focus on coffee, the map also showcases Colombia's major cities and towns, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, among others. These urban centers are not only crucial to the country's coffee economy but also serve as cultural and economic hubs. The map's detailed representation of these cities, along with smaller towns, provides a rich context for understanding Colombia's socio-economic fabric during this period.

The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, the map's creator, played a pivotal role in promoting Colombian coffee on the global stage. With offices in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans, the Federation was instrumental in establishing Colombia's reputation as a premier coffee producer. This map is not just a geographical representation but a historical document that reflects the Federation's efforts to elevate Colombian coffee to international prominence.

Cities and towns on this map

• Colombia:
• Bogotá
• Medellín
• Cali
• Barranquilla
• Cartagena
• Cúcuta
• Bucaramanga
• Pereira
• Santa Marta
• Manizales
• Ibagué
• Pasto
• Montería
• Villavicencio
• Armenia
• Neiva
• Popayán
• Sincelejo
• Valledupar
• Tunja
• Florencia
• Riohacha
• Quibdó
• Yopal
• Mocoa
• Leticia
• Inírida
• San José del Guaviare
• Puerto Carreño

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of water:
• Caribbean Sea
• Pacific Ocean
• Borders: National boundaries, department, intendencia, and comisaria boundaries.
• Mountains: Andean mountain range.
• Other notable features:
• Railroads and highways.
• Cableways and lighthouses.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Coffee Map of the Republic of Colombia
• Date created: 1939
• Mapmaker/Publisher: National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia
• Themes and topics:
• Focus on coffee production in Colombia.
• Includes data on distances from coffee centers to ports, steamship companies, coffee census of 1938, and coffee picking seasons.
• Design/Style:
• Thematic map highlighting coffee production areas with red squares and triangles.
• Includes tables and legends with detailed information.
• Historical significance:
• Presented at the San Francisco International Exposition of 1939.
• Highlights Colombia's status as the world's largest producer of mild coffees at the time.

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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.