Titled “Derouen,” this United States Geological Survey topographical map presents the Avery Island region of southern Louisiana at the detailed 1:62,500 scale. Published with survey data from 1937 and reprinted in 1963, it preserves a carefully measured view of the Gulf Coast landscape before many later episodes of industrial expansion, highway development, and coastal change. The map centers on one of Louisiana’s most distinctive geological curiosities: Avery Island, the famous salt dome rising subtly from surrounding marshes, bayous, agricultural tracts, and low coastal wetlands. Its restrained but information-rich style captures both the practical precision of federal mapping and the atmospheric complexity of a watery, shifting landscape.

The United States Geological Survey was, by the twentieth century, the preeminent American authority in scientific cartography, producing maps that served engineers, geologists, planners, soldiers, and travelers alike. In “Derouen,” the USGS method is evident in the disciplined contouring, clear symbols, and meticulous classification of roads, railways, waterways, forests, and cultivated land. The color scheme is purposeful rather than decorative: blues gather the bayous, lakes, and marsh channels; greens mark wooded or vegetated areas; and contour lines reveal the modest but meaningful relief of a coastal plain where even slight elevation can define settlement, drainage, and industry.

Avery Island dominates the map’s historical and geographic interest. Though called an island, it is in fact a salt dome—a subterranean geological formation that lifts the land above the surrounding marshes. This unusual feature made the place valuable for salt extraction and, famously, for the production of Tabasco sauce by the McIlhenny family. The map’s contour lines quietly convey the island’s raised form, distinguishing it from the watery lowlands nearby. Around it, the intricate network of bayous, drainage channels, and wetlands reflects the ecology of Iberia Parish and the broader Louisiana coastal zone, where land and water interlace in endlessly variable patterns.

The surrounding names extend the story beyond Avery Island: Weeks Island, Vermilion Bay, Lake Fausse Pointe, and Lake Peigneur all situate the map within a region shaped by salt, oil, fisheries, agriculture, and waterborne movement. Roads and railways thread cautiously through the terrain, connecting small settlements, industrial sites, and agricultural lands while negotiating marshes and bayou crossings. The depiction of cultivated fields beside forested tracts and salt marshes evokes a landscape in transition between rural production and extractive enterprise. These details make the map not merely a geographic record, but a portrait of coastal Louisiana’s working environment in the late 1930s.

Seen today, “Derouen” carries particular historical resonance because Louisiana’s coast has changed so dramatically. Wetland loss, subsidence, canal cutting, storms, and industrial development have altered many Gulf Coast landscapes since the surveys on which this map was based. The map therefore offers a valuable snapshot of waterways, shorelines, roads, and land use before several decades of ecological transformation. Its careful rendering of marshes, bayous, and low relief also underscores the fragility of this region: a place where geology, water, commerce, and culture meet. For collectors, it is a refined and revealing document of one of America’s most distinctive coastal environments.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Avery Island
• Weeks Island
• Vermilion Bay
• Lake Fausse Pointe
• Lake Peigneur
• Bayous
• Various roads and railways
• Salt marshes
• Forested areas
• Agricultural lands

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey, this 1:62,500 topographical map uses survey data from 1937 and was reprinted in 1963.
• The map reflects the geography of the area in the late 1930s, offering insight into later ecological and infrastructural changes, including coastal erosion and industrial development.
• It uses color to distinguish land uses and natural features, including blues for water bodies and greens for forested and agricultural areas.
• The map depicts elevation contours and wetland terrain, highlighting the coastal character of the region.
• Avery Island is notable for its salt dome and its association with the Tabasco sauce factory.

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

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

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.