Rare Old Arabic Map of Northwest Africa by Esref, 1894: Marrakesh, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, Sahara

Dive into the rich tapestry of Northwest Africa through the lens of the remarkable "Harita-i Afrika-i Garbiyye ve Sudan," a masterpiece crafted by the esteemed Hafiz Ali Esref in 1894. This exquisite map, a testament to the cartographic excellence of its era, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the political and physical geography of a region steeped in history and cultural diversity. Hafiz Ali Esref, a former soldier turned chief cartographer, honed his skills in Paris before taking the helm at the prestigious Matbaa-i Amire Press in Beyazit. His meticulous attention to detail and profound understanding of geography are vividly displayed in this work, which spans from the bustling streets of Marrakesh to the serene landscapes of the Sahara, encapsulating the essence of Northwest Africa with remarkable precision.

The map's canvas is rich with detail, illustrating not only the vast expanses of deserts and the towering mountain ranges but also the intricate web of political borders that define the region. Each line and shading tells a story of a land shaped by centuries of history, from the ancient caravan routes that traverse the Sahara to the thriving cities like Algiers and Casablanca, which continue to be centers of culture and commerce. The "Harita-i Afrika-i Garbiyye ve Sudan" serves as a bridge between past and present, offering insights into the colonial legacies and the enduring spirit of the peoples of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.

Beyond its geographical accuracy, the map is a visual feast, adorned with a decorative cartouche, a detailed compass rose, and illustrations of the region's flora and fauna that bring the landscape to life. The inclusion of the Prime Meridian and Tropic of Cancer lines, along with a scale bar, enhances its utility as a navigational tool, while the relief is skillfully depicted through shadings and hachures, highlighting the topographical diversity of Northwest Africa. This map is not merely a tool for orientation but a work of art that celebrates the natural beauty and rich history of the region.

The map's labeling in Ottoman Arabic script, accompanied by French script, adds another layer of historical significance, reflecting the linguistic and cultural intersections that have shaped North Africa. The meticulous work of Hasan Ferid in printing and publishing this map underlines the collaborative effort involved in its creation, bridging Eastern and Western cartographic traditions. This linguistic duality not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also serves as a testament to the region's position as a crossroads of civilizations, where diverse cultures and languages have coexisted and influenced each other for centuries.

In essence, the "Harita-i Afrika-i Garbiyye ve Sudan" is more than just a map; it is a portal to the past, a guide to understanding the complex tapestry of Northwest Africa's geography, politics, and culture. Crafted with unparalleled skill and care by Hafiz Ali Esref and his team, this map stands as a monument to the art of cartography and a treasure for anyone fascinated by the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of this unique region. Whether you are a historian, a geographer, or simply an admirer of beautiful maps, this piece is a must-have addition to your collection, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Cities and towns on this map

• Morocco:
• Marrakesh (1.2 million)
• Fes (1.1 million)
• Casablanca (3.3 million)
• Tangier (940 thousand)
• Meknes (630 thousand)
• Oujda (490 thousand)
• Kenitra (430 thousand)
• Tetouan (380 thousand)
• Agadir (370 thousand)
• Safi (310 thousand)
• Algeria:
• Algiers (3.4 million)
• Oran (1.4 million)
• Constantine (940 thousand)
• Annaba (640 thousand)
• Batna (310 thousand)
• Setif (300 thousand)
• Sidi Bel Abbes (220 thousand)
• Biskra (200 thousand)
• Tlemcen (190 thousand)
• Bejaia (170 thousand)
• Tunisia:
• Tunis (1.2 million)
• Sfax (330 thousand)
• Sousse (270 thousand)
• Kairouan (180 thousand)
• Bizerte (140 thousand)
• Gabes (120 thousand)
• Gafsa (100 thousand)
• Libya:
• Tripoli (1.1 million)
• Benghazi (630 thousand)
• Misrata (550 thousand)
• Al Khums (200 thousand)
• Zawiya (200 thousand)
• Sabha (130 thousand)
• Tobruk (120 thousand)
• Derna (120 thousand)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Prime Meridian line
• Tropic of Cancer line
• Scale bar
• Compass rose
• Decorative cartouche
• Mountain ranges
• Rivers
• Lakes
• Seas
• Gulfs
• Deserts
• Oases
• Caravan routes
• Political borders
• Names of countries and regions
• Illustrations of animals and plants
• Arabic script
• French script

Historical and design context

• The map is titled "Harita-i Afrika-i Garbiyye ve Sudan" and was created by Hafiz Ali Esref in 1894.
• It is a detailed political and physical map of Northwest Africa, covering modern-day countries of Morocco, Algeria, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, Guinea, The Gambia, and Senegal; and the Mediterranean, Spain, Italy, and Greece in the north.
• The map is labeled in Ottoman Arabic script and was printed and published by Hasan Ferid.
• Hafiz Ali Esref was a former soldier who was trained as a cartographer in Paris in 1862. He became chief cartographer at the Matbaa-i Amire Press in Beyazit, the successor to Müteferrika's press, which was founded in 1727.
• The map shows political and administrative boundaries, capitals, provinces, major cities, rivers, mountains, roads, and railroads. Most maps include dedication and descriptive text. Relief is shown by shadings and hachures.
• The map is significant because it provides a detailed snapshot of the political and physical geography of Northwest Africa in the late 19th century.

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 70in (180cm). 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.

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.