Large Ottoman Empire Map with Railroads, 1912: Istanbul, Baghdad, Hejaz & Baghdad Railway, WW1

The "Nouvelle Carte générale des Provinces Asiatiques de L'Empire Ottoman" is a captivating historical artifact that offers a window into the geopolitical landscape of the early 20th century. Crafted by the esteemed cartographers Dietrich Reimer and Heinrich Keipert in 1912, this map is a testament to the intricate political and physical tapestry of the Ottoman Empire on the brink of World War I. The map's detailed manuscript annotations reveal the ambitious railway projects that were central to Germany's colonial aspirations, particularly the Berlin-Baghdad Railway, which was envisioned to connect Europe to the Persian Gulf, bypassing the Suez Canal.

This map covers a vast expanse, including modern-day Turkey, north Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Syria, Palestine, Kurdistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran. It vividly illustrates the strategic importance of these regions, showcasing the Hejaz Railway and the Berlin-Baghdad Railway, which were pivotal in the Ottoman-German alliance. The map not only charts operational railways but also projected lines, offering insight into the ambitious infrastructural plans that were never fully realized due to the war's disruptions.

The geographical features depicted on the map are as fascinating as the political ones. The Mediterranean and Caspian Seas frame the landscape, while various mountain ranges traverse the terrain, adding depth and texture to the regions represented. These natural features were as much a part of the strategic considerations of the time as the man-made ones, influencing trade routes, military campaigns, and settlement patterns across the empire.

Cities and towns like Istanbul, Baghdad, and Damascus are marked, each a hub of cultural and economic activity. These settlements, steeped in history, were crucial nodes in the network of railways that the map meticulously details. The map serves as a reminder of the bustling urban centers that were at the heart of the Ottoman Empire, each contributing to the empire's rich tapestry of cultures and traditions.

The map's historical significance is profound, capturing a moment of transformation and ambition. It reflects the geopolitical tensions and alliances that shaped the early 20th century, with Germany's aspirations to extend its influence in the Middle East and gain access to the Indian Ocean. This map is not just a representation of land and infrastructure; it is a narrative of ambition, conflict, and the ever-shifting sands of history.

Cities and towns on this map

• Turkey
• Istanbul
• Izmir
• Ankara
• Iraq
• Baghdad
• Basra
• Mosul
• Iran
• Tehran
• Egypt
• Cairo
• Syria
• Damascus
• Kuwait
• Kuwait City
• Israel
• Jerusalem

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of water:
• Mediterranean Sea
• Caspian Sea
• Borders: Depicts borders of the Ottoman Empire and surrounding regions.
• Mountains: Various mountain ranges are illustrated throughout the map.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Nouvelle Carte générale des Provinces Asiatiques de L'Empire Ottoman
• Creation date: 1912, with manuscript updates to late 1914.
• Mapmakers: Dietrich Reimer & Heinrich Keipert.
• Themes:
• Railways of the Middle East on the eve of World War I.
• Manuscript annotations highlighting the Hejaz and Berlin-Baghdad Railway.
• The map reflects Germany's colonial aspirations, particularly the Berlin-Baghdad Railway.
• Regions covered:
• Turkey, north Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Syria, Palestine, Kurdistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and more.
• Design and style:
• Large, color-lithographed map with detailed manuscript annotations.
• Shows operational and projected railway lines.
• Historical significance:
• Highlights Germany's geopolitical ambitions and the Ottoman-German alliance during WWI.
• The Berlin-Baghdad Railway aimed to connect Berlin to the Persian Gulf, circumventing the Suez Canal.

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 is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that 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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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.