Old Pictorial Map of the Soviet Union, 1948: Industry, Agriculture, Natural Resources

Step into the pivotal year of 1948 with this exquisitely detailed pictorial map of the Soviet Union, originally published as part of the renowned "World News of the Week" series. Crafted by News Map of the Week, Inc., this map offers a rare window into the heart of the USSR during the dawn of the Cold War. The map’s vibrant colors and meticulous relief shading bring to life the immense geography of the Soviet Union, from the icy expanse of Siberia to the fertile plains of Ukraine, capturing the grandeur and complexity of a nation at the center of global affairs.

What sets this map apart is its rich thematic content, blending cartographic precision with insightful commentary. Insets and side panels delve into the Soviet Union’s economic might, highlighting key centers of industry and agriculture, as well as the nation’s vast reserves of natural resources. The map is adorned with illustrations and photographs that offer glimpses into Soviet society, government structure, and foreign trade, providing a multi-layered understanding of the USSR’s role on the world stage.

The map’s design is a masterful fusion of artistry and information. Major cities such as Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, and Baku are prominently featured, alongside the intricate web of rivers, lakes, and mountain ranges that define the landscape. Industrial and agricultural centers are marked with distinctive symbols, while transportation routes and ports like Murmansk and Vladivostok underscore the strategic connectivity of the Soviet empire. The careful delineation of republic borders and the inclusion of demographic and climate data further enrich the viewer’s appreciation of the Soviet Union’s diversity and scale.

Historically, this map stands as a testament to a transformative era. Created just three years after the end of World War II, it reflects the Soviet Union’s emergence as a superpower and the shifting geopolitical landscape of the late 1940s. The map not only documents the physical and economic realities of the USSR but also serves as an educational tool, designed to inform and engage audiences about the challenges and ambitions of a nation in flux. It is a striking artifact of mid-century cartography, merging factual reporting with visual storytelling.

Owning this map is akin to possessing a piece of living history. It invites you to explore the Soviet Union at a moment when its influence was rapidly expanding and its internal dynamics were shaping the course of the twentieth century. Whether you are a collector, historian, or connoisseur of fine cartography, this map offers an unparalleled glimpse into the geography, politics, and culture of one of the world’s most consequential nations.

Places on this map

• Moscow
• Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg)
• Kiev (now Kyiv)
• Minsk
• Tbilisi
• Baku
• Tashkent
• Alma-Ata (now Almaty)
• Novosibirsk
• Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg)
• Stalingrad (now Volgograd)
• Murmansk
• Vladivostok
• Odessa
• Riga
• Tallinn
• Vilnius
• Yerevan
• Ashkhabad (now Ashgabat)
• Frunze (now Bishkek)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Title panel with publication details and date (Sept. 6, 1948)
• Large, central map of the Soviet Union with color-coded regions
• Major rivers (e.g., Volga, Ob, Yenisei, Lena, Amur)
• Major lakes (e.g., Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea)
• Relief shading indicating mountain ranges (e.g., Ural Mountains, Caucasus Mountains)
• Key industrial centers marked (e.g., Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Sverdlovsk)
• Major agricultural regions indicated
• Insets with economic production data (e.g., coal, oil, grain)
• Insets on foreign trade routes and partners
• Government structure illustrated in a side panel
• Natural resources highlighted with icons or illustrations (e.g., oil wells, mines)
• Population density or demographic information in a sidebar or inset
• Climate data or zones depicted with color or symbols
• Borders of Soviet republics clearly delineated
• Photographs or illustrations of Soviet life, industry, or leaders
• Major railways and transportation routes shown
• Key ports and shipping centers labeled (e.g., Murmansk, Odessa, Vladivostok)
• Notable historical sites or landmarks illustrated
• Soviet flag or emblem incorporated in the design
• Text boxes with explanatory notes about the Soviet Union’s economy and society
• Map legend explaining symbols and color codes

Historical and design context

• Originally published as part of "World News of the Week" (Vol. 11, No.2, September 6, 1948)
• Created by News Map of the Week, Inc., a publisher known for educational and thematic maps in the mid-20th century
• Represents the Soviet Union during the early Cold War, a period of significant global tension and transformation
• Designed as a historically informative, thematic, and pictorial map blending artistic illustration with factual content
• Features a masterful fusion of artistry and information, typical of mid-century educational cartography
• Intended as an educational tool for students and the general public, providing multi-faceted insight into the Soviet Union
• Includes insets and side panels on economic production, foreign trade, government structure, natural resources, population demographics, and climate data
• Highlights the political, economic, and social realities of the USSR in the late 1940s
• Captures a pivotal moment in Soviet and world history, shortly after World War II and at the onset of the Cold War
• Notable for its combination of cartographic accuracy and engaging visual storytelling

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.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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 order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

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

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

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.