Rare Old Arabic Map of Arabian Peninsula by the Ottoman Army, 1897: Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Persian Gulf, UAE, Dubai, Red Sea

The 'Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea' map, originally published in 1897 by the General Staff of the Ottoman Army, is a remarkable piece of cartographic history. As a detailed political and physical map, it offers a comprehensive view of the Arabian Peninsula, capturing the essence of the region during the late 19th century. The map covers a broad geographic area, encompassing Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. It meticulously depicts political divisions and kingdoms, cities, villages, roads, trails, rivers, lakes, and mountains. The Nile River, one of the world's longest rivers, is beautifully represented from its source to its mouth, demonstrating the map's attention to detail.

This map's historical significance is further enhanced by its inclusion of the territories of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the United Arab Emirates, including the now globally significant cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Also featured are Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, and other crucial territories. Each region is depicted with precision, providing an intriguing insight into the political and physical landscape of the time. The map's depiction of these territories and their geopolitical context during the Ottoman era adds an extra layer of historical intrigue.

The map's style is another noteworthy aspect. The relief is shown by hachures, a method of depicting relief by using thin lines at an angle to the direction of slope. This method, popular in the 19th century, adds a touch of authenticity and artistic flair to the map. It also provides a tangible sense of the region's physical geography, including its mountains and other natural features. This artistic approach to cartography sets this map apart, making it not just a tool for understanding geography and history, but also a work of art.

The map's creation by the General Staff of the Ottoman Army adds an extra dimension of historical significance. As the Ottoman Empire was a major world power during the late 19th century, this map provides a unique perspective on how the empire viewed the Arabian Peninsula and its surrounding regions. The map's meticulous detail and comprehensive coverage reflect the strategic importance of these territories to the Ottoman Empire, offering a fascinating glimpse into the geopolitical dynamics of the era.

The 'Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea' map, published in 1897 by the General Staff of the Ottoman Army, encompasses several major cities, landmarks, and regions of historical significance. Here are some of the key features represented on this map:

Major Cities:

• Cairo, Egypt
• Khartoum, Sudan
• Mogadishu, Somalia
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Baghdad, Iraq
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Doha, Qatar
• Manama, Bahrain
• Muscat, Oman
• Sana'a, Yemen

National Landmarks:

• Nile River, Egypt
• Red Sea
• Persian Gulf
• Arabian Desert, Saudi Arabia
• Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Iraq
• Jebel Hafeet, United Arab Emirates
• Empty Quarter, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen

Historical Events (up to 20 years before 1897):

• Establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1932)
• British occupation of Egypt (1882)
• The Scramble for Africa impacting Sudan and Somalia (1881-1914)
• The Trucial States period in the United Arab Emirates (1820-1971)
• The establishment of the modern state of Iraq under Ottoman rule (1869)
• The discovery of oil in the Persian Gulf (late 19th century)

Please note that this map is in Arabic script.

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.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

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.

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 print and frame maps in 22 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 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 are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

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

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map 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 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 4,000 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.