Atlantic Ocean Islands is a 1967 Soviet cartographic study created for the second edition of the Atlas of the World, its publication timed to the 50th anniversary of the Great October socialist revolution. Issued by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, it reflects a program of updated geographic knowledge and a refined editorial framework that reduced USSR-focused sheets in favor of a separate Atlas of the USSR. The map synthesizes political and physical geography for a far-flung constellation of Atlantic islands, from subarctic Jan Mayen to equatorial Sao Tome and remote mid-ocean outposts. Its purpose is both encyclopedic and comparative: to let readers see how topography, climate zones, maritime routes, and national affiliations converge across the Atlantic basin’s island worlds.

The design is characteristically mid-20th-century Soviet in its clarity and chromatic discipline. Bright blue bathymetric fields convey the surrounding Atlantic, with sea-depth contours stepping down in measured intervals, while earth-toned hypsometric tints rise over land to suggest altitude and slope. Relief shading, deftly modeled, gives cliffs, volcanic cones, and escarpments a tactile realism without sacrificing legibility of toponyms or boundaries. A suite of varying scales, including 1:2,500,000 and 1:1,000,000, allows the cartographer to balance overview with scrutiny, and inset enlargements spotlight select islands whose complexity deserves a closer look. Side captions supply crisp historical and geographical notes that enrich the spatial narrative.

Geographically, the sheet stages a longitudinal and latitudinal drama: Jan Mayen and the Faeroes in austere northern seas; Madeira and the Canary Islands along the northeast Atlantic; Cape Verde splayed against the West African trades; then south to the equatorial Gulf of Guinea with Fernando Po, Principe, Sao Tome, and Annobon; farther still to Ascension and Saint Helena adrift in the South Atlantic. Political affiliations are carefully signaled, with Portuguese archipelagos and islands adjacent to the African littoral clearly distinguished, speaking to the period’s complex overlay of sovereignty across the ocean. Yet the map never lets politics eclipse terrain—the graphic hierarchy keeps coastlines, ridgelines, and reefs crisply prioritized.

Among its many portraits, several stand out for their cartographic poise. Jan Mayen’s steep relief and glaciers are articulated in cool, subdued tints that contrast with the surrounding bathymetry, while the Faeroes’ deeply indented coasts appear as a lacework of fjords. Madeira and the Canary Islands rise like bastions from the Atlantic, their orographic cores dramatized by calibrated shading. Cape Verde unfolds as a dispersed archipelago, each island given room to breathe, with currents and shelves implied by the sea’s tonal gradations. In the Gulf of Guinea, Fernando Po, Principe, Sao Tome, and Annobon form a volcanic chain rendered with convincing mass. Ascension and Saint Helena, lonely sentinels, gain presence through meticulously drawn contours and enlarged insets.

Historically, this map functions as both document and declaration. Compared with the 1954 first edition, the 1967 atlas evidences refined cartographic practices and a global orientation, reallocating domestic sheets to the dedicated Atlas of the USSR. In this context, Atlantic Ocean Islands becomes a case study in Soviet scholarly ambition—precise, didactic, and quietly internationalist—while also mirroring the decade’s shifting geopolitical currents. For collectors and historians, it offers a layered reading: a beautifully reasoned synthesis of physical geography, a contemporaneous snapshot of island affiliations, and a masterclass in color, scale, and relief that exemplifies the era’s best cartographic craft.

Countries and regions on this map

• Islands: Jan Mayen; Faeroe Islands; Madeira Islands; Canary Islands; Cape Verde Islands; Fernando Po Island; Principe Island; Sao Tome Island; Annobon Island; Ascension Island; Saint Helena Island.
• Notable bodies of water and geographical structures: Surrounding Atlantic Ocean defined clearly; Sea depth contours depicted.
• Urban vicinity maps: Not seen, but typically included at scales of 1:250,000 for major cities globally.
• Annotations or notes: Historical and geographical notes present as side captions on the map, giving context to the islands depicted.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Islands depicted: Jan Mayen, Faeroe Islands, Madeira Islands, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Fernando Po Island, Principe Island, Sao Tome Island, Annobon Island, Ascension Island, and Saint Helena Island.
• Scales indicated: Various scales are employed including 1:2,500,000 and 1:1,000,000.
• Topographic details: Use of relief shading to indicate elevation and sea depth, presenting a detailed physical geography.
• Vivid color differentiation: Bright blue for water bodies, contrasted with earth tones for land elevations.
• Insets of specific islands: Smaller inset maps for detailed views of certain islands.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: 247. Atlantic Ocean Islands.
• Year of creation: 1967.
• Mapmaker/Publisher: USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
• Notes about the map: A second edition of the Atlas of the World, originally published in 1954, reflecting updated geographic knowledge and cartographic practices.
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: The atlas marks a significant reduction in the number of USSR maps, adjusted for the release of the "Atlas of the USSR"; created during the 50th anniversary of the Great October socialist revolution, underscoring its socio-political relevance.
• Topics and themes shown on the map: Detailed political and physical representations of the Atlantic Ocean islands, including their topography, with a specific focus on notable islands.
• Design or style of the map: Vibrant full-color illustrations with tints representing elevation and sea depth, plus relief shading for realistic depiction.
• Historical significance/context: Reflects the socio-political climate of the time and serves as a meticulously crafted resource for cartography enthusiasts and historians.

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 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.

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.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
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• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

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.