Georgia, Caucasus is Nicolas Sanson’s authoritative vision of the mountain world between the Black and Caspian seas, first engraved in 1667 and later issued by his son, Guillaume Sanson. Revered as the father of French cartography, Nicolas recast European geography with a new, rigorously sourced precision; here, his method yields a lucid portrait of Colchis, Iberia, and Albania—the classical predecessors of modern Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The map’s highly ornate cartouche frames the title with late-17th-century flourish, while the crisp delineation of territories reflects Sanson’s commitment to analytical, rather than decorative, mapping. The plate would continue its life in atlases with a title page dated 1697 and updates extending to 1709, underscoring the enduring authority of Sanson’s Caucasian template.

Sanson’s geography dramatizes the natural theater of the Caucasus through carefully engraved mountain chains, terraced valleys, and coursing river systems. The topographic relief brings the Greater and Lesser Caucasus into sharp focus, the ridges acting as both barriers and corridors that explain settlement patterns and historical frontiers. The Caspian Sea anchors the eastern horizon, a vast inland basin set against a crenelated skyline of peaks. Outline color articulates the political tapestry, while the engraved symbols guide the eye from the coastal littoral to highland interiors. Across this terrain, Sanson reconciles classical nomenclature with contemporary intelligence, allowing viewers to trace how ancient ethnographies and Renaissance reports converged in a single, coherent image.

Borders are not mere lines here; they narrate a 17th-century balance of power at the crossroads of empires. The map isolates the historical polities of Colchis and Iberia and sets them against neighbors to the south and east, clarifying the shifting spheres that defined the Caucasus between Ottoman and Safavid influence. Passes and river valleys appear as natural frontiers, their paths suggesting how armies, merchants, and pilgrims threaded the ridges. By visualizing these limits with such reserve and clarity, Sanson anticipates the Enlightenment habit of treating space as a system—one in which geography explains politics as much as politics reshapes geography.

Cities crystallize that story. Tbilisi (Tiflis) stands astride the Kura, a strategic fulcrum binding highlands to lowlands; Kutaisi recalls the rich legacy of western Georgia and classical Colchis. Eastward, Yerevan (Erivan) punctuates the Armenian plateau, while Baku commands the Caspian shore, a maritime emporium long tied to steppe and Persian markets. On the Black Sea, Trabzon (Trebizond) signals enduring coastal exchange and Byzantine afterlives. Sanson’s labels balance antique resonances with the usage of his day, allowing readers to place familiar names within an older historical frame. The resulting urban constellation is not merely locational—it is interpretive, sketching trade routes, cultural corridors, and strategic nodes across an exacting terrain.

The artistry is unmistakable. Sanson’s restrained engraving, enlivened by outline color, emphasizes structure over ornament, yet he crowns the composition with an exuberant cartouche—a late-career signature that Guillaume would preserve in subsequent issues. Pictorial relief conveys altitude without clutter, while hydrography and coastal profiles establish orientation at a glance. This synthesis—classical learning, field reports, and courtly intelligence—made Sanson’s maps the standard by which others were judged. Georgia, Caucasus stands as both a scholarly monument and a geopolitical key, offering a rare, lucid snapshot of a region whose topography and politics have always been inseparable.

Cities and towns on this map

• Tbilisi (Georgia)
• Kutaisi (Georgia)
• Yerevan (Armenia)
• Baku (Azerbaijan)
• Trabzon (Turkey)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Cartouche: Ornate title and publisher design, richly embellished
• Topographic relief: Engraved elevation and terrain variations
• Borders: Clearly outlined political boundaries of historical regions
• Bodies of water: Includes the Caspian Sea and other significant waters
• Mountains and valleys: Illustrated to represent topographical changes

Historical and design context

• Created by Nicolas Sanson in 1667; published by his son, Guillaume Sanson
• Dating: 1667 creation; title page dated 1697; atlas updates extend to 1709
• Nicolas Sanson: Pioneering French cartographer, often called the father of French cartography; foundational to modern mapping
• Subject and scope: Depicts Colchis, Iberia, and Albania; covers parts of present-day Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey; emphasizes political and geographic detail
• Design and style: Outline coloring, engraved relief illustrations, and a highly ornate cartouche typical of Sanson’s late-career style
• Historical significance: Illuminates 17th-century Caucasus geopolitics and reflects advanced cartographic practices of the era

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 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.

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 and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

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 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

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. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

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.