Titled simply Spain and Portugal, this 1810 manuscript by Frances Bowen presents the Iberian Peninsula with a schoolroom’s eye for order and a draftsman’s instinct for drama. Borders between provinces and counties are crisply articulated, while handwritten labels march across the land in a steady, legible hand. Pictorial relief—little ranks of shaded hills and serried ranges—supplants the still-nascent language of contour lines, giving the Pyrenees, Cantabrians, and Sierra Morena a tactile presence. The coasts are framed by the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea, with the Atlantic sweep implied by the westward tilt of Portugal. It is an elegant synthesis of clarity and character, inviting the viewer to read geography as both study and story.

Frances Bowen worked under the supervision of her sister Eliza, and together they cultivated a distinctive approach to educational cartography—one that privileged comprehension without sacrificing beauty. Their atlases were designed for the classroom, yet they aspired to more than rote memorization: neat linework, lucid lettering, and selective color washes guide the student’s eye from highlands to harbors. The scenic relief here is a conscious pedagogical choice, preceding the routine use of isohypses and contours, and conveying elevation through texture and rhythm. In Bowen’s hands, mountains are not abstractions but actors: ranges shape borders, channels concentrate trade, and river valleys knit provinces into coherent regions.

The map organizes Iberia from the ocean ramparts to its inland plateaus with sure, economical signals. The Pyrenees bar the peninsula’s northern threshold; the Cantabrian coast curves along the Bay of Biscay toward Bilbao; and the Ebro carves its long arc eastward toward the Mediterranean. Southward, the Guadalquivir broadens toward Seville, while the Tagus (Tejo) and Douro (Duero) stride west to Lisbon and Porto, announcing natural corridors of settlement and commerce. The Strait of Gibraltar tightens the frame at the peninsula’s hinge, where continents nearly touch. Even the Balearics receive attention: Palma anchors Mallorca, situating Spain’s maritime reach. Through borders and waterlines, Bowen stages an anatomy of Iberia in which terrain, polity, and sea are legible at a glance.

Spain’s civic constellation is surveyed with pedagogic poise. Madrid holds the center like a cartographic compass point, its placement emphasizing the radial logic of Castile’s meseta. Barcelona, set against the serrated Catalan littoral, faces seaward toward trade and ideas; Valencia curves along its fertile huerta; Zaragoza rides the Ebro’s interior course; and Málaga and Murcia punctuate the sunlit southeastern shore. Seville, upriver yet ocean-minded, reminds the viewer how rivers extend a coastline inland. Bilbao’s anchorage on the Bay of Biscay underlines the north’s maritime turn. By pairing crisp borders with prominent urban names, the map makes plain how topography underwrites civic fortunes—mountains channel, plains invite, ports convene.

Across the western edge, Portugal appears as both partner and counterpoise, its spine traced by rivers and its history distilled into towns and regions. Lisbon dominates the Tagus estuary, a capital poised between hinterland and ocean; Porto, upriver on the Douro, signals the industrious north; Coimbra lies thoughtful on the Mondego; Braga crowns the Minho; and Faro settles the Algarve’s luminous fringe. Provincial and county lines are drawn with the same didactic confidence, clarifying how the realm is divided and administered. Made in 1810, amid the convulsions of the Peninsular War, the map doubled as timely instruction: for students and readers, Iberia’s mountains, borders, and seaways were not only facts to learn but forces shaping Europe’s fate.

Cities and towns on this map

• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Valencia
• Seville
• Zaragoza
• Málaga
• Murcia
• Palma
• Bilbao
• Lisbon
• Porto
• Coimbra
• Faro
• Braga

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Clearly defined borders between regions and provinces
• Pictorial relief representation indicating elevation and terrain features
• Notable bodies of water, such as the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea
• Handwritten geographic labels for countries, regions, and geographical features

Historical and design context

• Title: Spain and Portugal (Frances Bowen, 1810)
• Manuscript map created in 1810 by Frances Bowen, reflecting early 19th-century educational cartography
• Frances Bowen worked under the supervision of her sister Eliza; they produced educational atlases for school use with strong visual clarity
• Hand-drawn in pen and ink with watercolor; a decorated style designed for clarity and practicality
• Depicts Spain and Portugal with emphasis on provinces and counties
• Represents the educational practices of the period and the cartographic techniques of the time

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.

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 5-year guarantee.

Read our 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.

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.