The "Map of North America. Showing its political divisions, and recent discoveries in the Polar Regions" is a masterful creation by the esteemed cartographer Samuel Augustus Mitchell, published in 1884. This map captures the geopolitical landscape of North America during a period of significant exploration and territorial evolution. It highlights the political boundaries of the United States, Mexico, Central America, and a notably small Canada, which at the time consisted only of British Columbia and parts of Ontario and Quebec. The remaining expanse of what we now know as Canada is labeled as "British America," reflecting the colonial perspectives of the era.

Samuel Mitchell, a renowned American geographer, and publisher, was instrumental in bringing detailed and accurate maps to the public during the 19th century. His works are celebrated for their precision and the wealth of information they provide. This particular map not only delineates political boundaries but also incorporates recent discoveries in the Polar Regions, showcasing the adventurous spirit and the relentless pursuit of knowledge that characterized the age of exploration.

The map is a visual feast, with its detailed representation of North America's physical features. The Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains are prominently displayed, providing a sense of the continent's diverse topography. Major bodies of water such as Hudson's Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea are meticulously labeled, guiding the viewer through the natural landmarks that define the region. The inclusion of the Arctic Ocean and the polar regions underscores the era's fascination with the unknown and the uncharted.

Cities and towns are carefully marked, offering a glimpse into the urban centers of the time. In the United States, cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, New Orleans, and San Francisco are highlighted, reflecting their importance as hubs of commerce, politics, and culture. In Canada, Montreal and Quebec stand out, while Mexico City is prominently featured in Mexico. Havana is also noted in the Caribbean, illustrating the map's comprehensive coverage of significant settlements across the continent.

This map is not just a geographical document; it is a historical artifact that provides insight into the political and cultural dynamics of North America in the late 19th century. It reflects the territorial claims, the exploration achievements, and the urban development of the time. Owning this map is akin to holding a piece of history, a testament to the cartographic skill of Samuel Mitchell and the ever-evolving story of North America.

Cities and towns on this map

• United States:
• New York
• Philadelphia
• Washington
• Boston
• New Orleans
• San Francisco
• Canada:
• Montreal
• Quebec
• Mexico:
• Mexico City
• Caribbean:
• Havana

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of water:
• Hudson's Bay
• Atlantic Ocean
• Pacific Ocean
• Gulf of Mexico
• Caribbean Sea
• Arctic Ocean
• Borders:
• Political boundaries between countries and regions
• Mountains:
• Rocky Mountains
• Appalachian Mountains
• Other notable features:
• Polar Regions with recent discoveries labeled

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Map of North America. Showing its political divisions, and recent discoveries in the Polar Regions.
• Date of creation: 1884
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Samuel Mitchell
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Samuel Augustus Mitchell was a prominent American geographer and publisher of maps and atlases in the 19th century.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Political divisions: The map highlights the political boundaries and divisions of North America as understood in 1884.
• Recent discoveries in the Polar Regions: The map includes information on recent explorations and discoveries in the Arctic regions.
• Countries and regions shown on the map:
• United States
• Canada (notably small)
• British America
• Mexico
• Central America
• Greenland
• The Caribbean
• Design or style of the map:
• The map is detailed with both political and physical features, using color to distinguish different regions and countries.
• It includes detailed labeling of geographical features and political boundaries.
• Historical significance or context:
• The map reflects the geopolitical understanding and territorial claims of the late 19th century.
• It provides insight into how regions like Canada were perceived and divided before they achieved their modern boundaries.

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 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.

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.

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.