Titled “Madrid, New Mexico,” this 1990 United States Geological Survey map presents the Madrid quadrangle at the highly detailed 1:24,000 scale, placing the historic settlement of Madrid within the rugged landscape of north-central New Mexico. Marked as a provisional map, it captures a moment when federal cartography was combining traditional survey practice with increasingly modern data sources. The result is both precise and evocative: roads, trails, land cover, drainage patterns, and settlement details are set against a terrain model of closely spaced contours and subtle relief. Madrid appears not as an isolated point, but as part of a wider topographic story—an inhabited pocket amid hills, arroyos, and transitional high-desert country.

The United States Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became the preeminent authority for mapping the physical geography of the United States, and this map reflects the agency’s disciplined visual language. USGS topographic sheets are admired for their clarity: brown contour lines articulate elevation, green tones mark vegetation, blue indicates water features, and black and red symbols identify human infrastructure. The provisional designation is especially interesting, suggesting a map issued with the best available information while acknowledging that later field verification or revised data might refine it. Such maps are working documents of landscape knowledge, designed for engineers, planners, geologists, hikers, and anyone needing a trustworthy view of the land.

The terrain surrounding Madrid is the chief drama of the sheet. Contour lines gather and loosen across the map, revealing steep slopes, rolling uplands, and the broken relief characteristic of this part of New Mexico. The cartography gives a quantitative reading of elevation while also producing a striking visual rhythm, with gradients of color and relief emphasizing the natural form of the country. Roads and trails thread through the landforms, showing how movement is shaped by ridges, draws, and open ground. Even where individual hills and watercourses are not named, their presence is unmistakable, expressed through the elegant grammar of topographic mapping.

Madrid itself carries a history far larger than its size. Once a company coal-mining town, it developed as part of the mineral-rich corridor south of Santa Fe and later became known for its artistic revival and distinctive character along the Turquoise Trail. Nearby Cerrillos evokes an even older mining landscape, associated with turquoise, lead, silver, and other mineral pursuits that drew Indigenous communities, Spanish colonists, prospectors, and railroad-era developers to the region. On this map, the towns appear within the physical setting that made that history possible: hills to be mined, routes to be followed, and a dry, resilient landscape that shaped settlement patterns.

As a 1990 topographic record, the map offers a compelling snapshot of Madrid and its surroundings before subsequent decades of technological mapping, land-use change, and demographic shifts altered how the area is understood. Modern digital elevation models and satellite imagery may now provide different forms of precision, but the USGS sheet preserves a uniquely readable synthesis of place. Its classic design balances scientific authority with visual beauty, inviting both study and contemplation. For collectors of historic American cartography, “Madrid, New Mexico” is a finely resolved portrait of a storied high-desert community, its neighboring settlements, and the rugged terrain that frames them.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Madrid, New Mexico
• Cerrillos
• Roads and trails within the mapped area
• Surrounding vegetation and land features
• Notable geographical features such as hills or water bodies
• Regional landform details showing the area’s topography

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map marked as provisional
• Created in 1990
• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
• Features classic USGS topographic design with detailed elevation contours, shaded relief, and clear land-cover demarcation
• Shows steep and rolling terrain typical of New Mexico, including mountainous and transitional areas
• Reflects the mapped area before later changes in mapping technology, land use, and population patterns
• Uses color gradients and contour lines to create a visually appealing representation of the natural landscape

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

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.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

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.