Old World Map of Protestant Missions, 1923: Christianity, Race & Religion Infographic, Gall Projection

Embark on a journey through time with the captivating "Distribution of Protestant Mission Stations throughout the World," a map meticulously crafted in 1923 by the Institute of Social and Religious Research. This remarkable document not only charts the geographical spread of Protestant missions across the globe but also delves into the intricate tapestry of races and religions that painted the world during the early 20th century. The map's creation was driven by a desire to visualize the reach and impact of Protestantism, set against the backdrop of a world rapidly changing through colonialism, technological advancement, and the shifting sands of geopolitical boundaries. It stands as a testament to the era's complex interplay between faith, culture, and power.

The map is distinguished by its thematic design, employing a rich palette of colors to differentiate between regions based on religious dominance, racial demographics, and the density of missionary stations. This choice of design not only makes the map a visually striking piece but also a tool for understanding the global religious landscape of the time. The inclusion of smaller inset maps and illustrations, such as the distribution of races and prevailing religions, further enriches the narrative, offering insights into the societal structures and beliefs that shaped the world in 1923. The use of the Gall cartographic projection ensures that this visual narrative is conveyed with both accuracy and aesthetic appeal.

The historical significance of this map cannot be overstated. It serves as a window into the state of Protestant missions and the broader religious context of the early 20th century, highlighting the widespread influence of Christianity while also acknowledging the presence and persistence of other major world religions and belief systems. The map's detailed representation of the distribution of Protestant missions, alongside data on the percentage of Christians in each country and the number of Protestant missionaries, provides a unique snapshot of the missionary zeal that characterized the period.

Beyond its religious implications, the map is a rich historical document that offers insights into the geopolitical and social dynamics of the era. The extensive geographic coverage, from the vast expanses of Africa and Asia to the diverse landscapes of the Americas and the remote islands of the Pacific, reflects the global scale of missionary activities and the interconnectedness of the world. The detailed depiction of bodies of water and mountain ranges adds another layer of depth, inviting viewers to consider the natural barriers that missionaries had to navigate in their quest to spread their faith.

In summary, the "Distribution of Protestant Mission Stations throughout the World" is more than just a map; it is a historical artifact that captures the essence of a pivotal moment in world history. Its creation by the Institute of Social and Religious Research underscores the importance of understanding the global distribution of religions and their cultural implications. For collectors, historians, and anyone fascinated by the interplay between geography, religion, and history, this map is a treasure trove of insights, offering a unique perspective on the world as it was in 1923.

Countries and regions on this map

• Africa
• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Asia
• Australia
• New Zealand
• China
• India
• Japan
• Korea
• Burma
• Siam
• French Indo-China
• Dutch East Indies
• British East Indies
• Ceylon
• Persia
• Arabia
• Turkey
• Egypt
• North Africa
• West Africa
• Central Africa
• East Africa
• South Africa
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Reunion
• Seychelles
• Comoro Islands
• Socotra
• Cape Verde Islands
• Madeira
• Canary Islands
• Azores
• Bermuda
• Bahamas
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Jamaica
• Hispaniola
• Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands
• Leeward Islands
• Windward Islands
• Barbados
• Trinidad and Tobago
• British Guiana
• Dutch Guiana
• French Guiana
• Venezuela
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Paraguay
• Brazil

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Atlantic Ocean
• Pacific Ocean
• Indian Ocean
• Arctic Ocean
• Southern Ocean
• Mediterranean Sea
• Caribbean Sea
• North Sea
• Baltic Sea
• Black Sea
• Caspian Sea
• Lake Superior
• Lake Huron
• Lake Michigan
• Lake Erie
• Lake Ontario
• St. Lawrence River
• Mississippi River
• Amazon River
• Congo River
• Nile River
• Niger River
• Zambezi River
• Murray River
• Ganges River
• Indus River
• Yangtze River
• Yellow River
• Amur River
• Lena River
• Yenisei River
• Ob River
• Irtysh River
• Ural River
• Volga River
• Danube River
• Rhine River
• Elbe River
• Oder River
• Vistula River
• Dnieper River
• Don River
• Oka River
• Kama River
• Belaya River
• Ufa River
• Tobol River
• Ishim River
• Aldan River
• Sungari River
• Ussuri River
• Yalu River
• Liao River
• Hai River
• Wei River
• Fen River
• Huai River
• Han River
• Jiang River
• Min River
• Wu River
• Xiang River
• Gan River
• Bei River
• Qiantang River
• Pearl River
• Xi River
• Dong River
• Mekong River
• Salween River
• Irrawaddy River
• Brahmaputra River
• Yamuna River
• Sutlej River
• Chenab River
• Jhelum River
• Ravi River
• Beas River
• Son River
• Kosi River
• Gandak River
• Ghaghara River
• Chambal River
• Betwa River
• Ken River
• Tons River
• Narmada River
• Tapti River
• Godavari River
• Krishna River
• Bhima River
• Tungabhadra River
• Malaprabha River
• Ghataprabha River
• Koyna River
• Warna River
• Penganga River
• Wainganga River
• Indravati River
• Pranhita River
• Wardha River
• Mahanadi River
• Brahmani River
• Baitarani River
• Subarnarekha River
• Damodar River
• Ajay River
• Barakar River
• Kangsabati River
• Hooghly River
• Bhagirathi River
• Jalangi River
• Matla River
• Muri Ganga River
• Padma River
• Meghna River
• Barak River
• Tista River
• Jaldhaka River
• Raidak River
• Sankosh River
• Punatsangchu River
• Manas River
• Dhansiri River
• Kopili River
• Surma River
• Kusiyara River
• Gumti River
• Halda River
• Feni River
• Muhuri River
• Karnaphuli River
• Sangu River
• Matamuhuri River
• Naf River
• Arakan Yoma
• Pegu Yoma
• Shan Hills
• Annamite Range
• Cardamom Mountains
• Elephant Range
• Tenasserim Hills
• Bilauktaung Range
• Arakan Mountains
• Chin Hills

Historical and design context

• Title: Distribution of Protestant Mission Stations throughout the World
• Date: 1923
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Institute of Social and Religious Research
• Description: Shows the distribution of Protestant mission stations and the prevailing races and religions in different parts of the world.
• Topics and themes: Religion, Race, Colonialism
• Geographic coverage: The map covers the entire world.
• Design and style: Thematic map using different colors to show different topics and themes.
• Historical significance: Provides a snapshot of the state of Protestant missions and the prevailing races and religions around the world in 1923.
• Uses a Gall cartographic projection.

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.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. On maps up to 36 inches (91cm) the frame is 1.5-3cm (0.6in to 1in) wide. I use thicker frames on larger maps - usually between 35 and 60mm (1.4in to 2.4in).

In all cases 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.

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.

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

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.

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 have specialist printing and framing facilities in 17 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 maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, extremely 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 how the Unique Maps Co. sources and restores old maps

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.

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 1,500 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.