The postwar period marked a significant transformation throughout Africa as decolonization and independence movements made rapid advances. Numerous nations and republics were established following European rule and colonialization since the fifteenth century. Decolonization is considered to have started in 1951 with the liberation of Libya and peaked in the same year as this publication in what is now referred to as the Year of Africa when seventeen new nations were created. Many of these new states were in French West Africa, and the final new nation was founded in 1993 with Eritrea’s split from Ethiopia.
The Central Intelligence Agency has produced geopolitical maps since 1941 and maintains the most up-to-date boundaries, borders, and shifts in national politics. These productions were vital for political and military leaders to develop and implement policy and strategize. Because of the large amount of newly formed nations in 1960, the CIA created this map of the new administrative divisions. One of the most notable aspects of this map is the lack of geographic features and that it only highlights certain capitals as the newly independent nations worked to form governments.
As independent nations were formed, these geopolitical borders were impacted by traditional tribal boundaries, which had not been taken into account during the colonial period and created points of tension as new nations contained residents from diverse backgrounds. The twentieth century saw rapid development culturally, economically, and politically. This is an authentic piece of African cartographical history that immediately transports the viewer back in time.
Our museum quality giclee print comes printed with archival ink on premium heavyweight matte paper. Shipped in a sturdy cardboard tube your print will arrive ready to be framed. This eye-catching vintage map reproduction makes the perfect gift for anyone that loves history and imagery.
