Partie de la Coste de Barbarie en Africque ou sont les Royaumes de Tunis, et Tripoli is Nicolas Sanson’s authoritative 1655 portrait of the Maghrebi littoral at the height of early modern Mediterranean power politics. The sheet follows the long arc of coast from the Gulfs of Tunis and Hammamet eastward past Gabès to the storied bays of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, while glancing north to the southernmost shore of Sicily. It scatters the stepping-stone isles—Malta, Limosa, and Lampedusa—across the Sicilian Channel, situating them as waypoints between Europe and Africa. “Barbarie,” the period term for the region, frames a coastline crowded with ports, caravan gateways, and sea lanes, capturing a corridor where Ottoman regencies, Italian merchants, and Christian orders all contended for influence.

Nicolas Sanson, the “father of French cartography,” reoriented European mapmaking toward disciplined geography and critical sources, and this map distills his method. Working in Paris at the nexus of statecraft and scholarship, he synthesized classical authorities with the latest pilots’ reports and diplomatic intelligence to refine political borders and hydrography. Sanson’s style favors clarity over flourish, yet he never abandoned elegance: toponyms are precisely placed along a mathematically reasoned grid, while a regal cartouche provides a ceremonial frame. His delineation of Tunis and Tripoli exemplifies his hallmark—turning fluid spheres of influence into legible territories—guiding readers from coastal strongholds to the hinterlands that supplied them.

Along the Tunisian shore, Sanson sets Tunis, Bizerte, and Sousse in their maritime context—a chain of emporia braced by promontories and gulfs. The Cap Bon peninsula thrusts into the sea opposite Sicily, while carefully hatched relief suggests the Tunisian Dorsale, foothills of the Atlas that shelter fertile plains and dictate overland routes. The Medjerda River’s basin, lifeline to the province, points inland toward markets and seasonal pastures. Southward, the seaboard opens toward the treacherous waters of the ancient Syrtis Minor near Gabès, whose shifting shallows long tested pilots. In Sanson’s rendering, coastal indentation, estuaries, and lagoons read like practical sailing notes, even as colored distinctions and firm boundary lines assert the jurisdiction of the Regency of Tunis.

East of the Syrtes, the map traces Tripolitania’s strand—Tripoli commanding the roadstead, Misrata punctuating the littoral, and Benghazi marking the threshold of Cyrenaica. Inland hachures hint at escarpments such as the Jabal Nafusa and the greener highlands farther east, reminding viewers that caravan arteries from Fezzan and the Sahara converged on these ports. Across the Sicilian Channel, Malta stares back—a fortress-island of the Knights of St. John—while Lampedusa and Limosa ride mid-passage as practical staging posts. Between corsair havens, convoy routes, and seasonal winds, Sanson’s coastline doubles as a diagram of navigation and power, the frontier where Ottoman vassals met the watchful squadrons of Europe.

Sanson’s decorative intelligence crowns the composition with a sumptuous cartouche draped in nautical motifs—scrolling acanthus, trophies of the sea, and disciplined calligraphy that amplifies authority without obscuring information. Relief is articulated by crisp hatching; water is serenely washed; and the Mediterranean and its gulfs are named with classical sobriety, each choice guiding the eye from political divisions to physical form. Borders between the kingdoms of Tunis and Tripoli are etched with confidence, yet the abundance of ports and islands suggests a world defined as much by passage as by possession. The result is a masterwork where science and statecraft meet—an elegant record of mid-17th-century geopolitics and trade along North Africa’s most consequential shore.

Cities and towns on this map

• Tunisia:
• Tunis
• Bizerte
• Sousse
• Libya:
• Tripoli
• Misrata
• Benghazi

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Cartouche: Highly ornate, showcasing craftsmanship typical of Sanson's work.
• Geographical Features: Includes mountains, valleys, and extensive coastal lines.
• Bodies of Water: Clearly marked Mediterranean Sea and adjacent gulf regions.
• Islands: Malta, Limosa, and Lampedusa, among others.
• Borders: Distinct division lines representing different territories and regions.

Historical and design context

• Political and physical geography of North Africa during the early modern period.
• Borders and kingdoms specifically include Tunis and Tripoli.
• The map features decorative elements typical of the 17th-century engraving style, including a detailed cartouche adorned with nautical motifs.
• The topographic distinctions are made with hatching and color coding, indicating elevation and water bodies.
• Reflects the geopolitical landscape of North Africa during the mid-17th century when European powers were exploring and mapping the region.
• Represents significant centers of trade and influence along the Mediterranean coast.

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 90in (230cm). 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.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

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.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.