Composed in late 1945 by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, Changing face of Europe and colonial tension captures the fragile interlude between victory and the geopolitical order that would soon harden into the Cold War. The map’s disciplined color system and authoritative legend translate the turmoil of armistice into an intelligible briefing: national borders newly adjusted, occupation zones imposed, and spheres of influence beginning to crystallize. It is an executive snapshot of a continent in flux—Germany provisionally partitioned, Italy recast, and France reemergent—set against an Atlantic horizon that pulls North America into Europe’s fate. As a visual record of the immediate postwar settlement, it distills decisions made at Yalta and Potsdam into an at-a-glance portrait of power, tension, and the uncertain peace to come.

Nowhere is the map’s prescience clearer than in its treatment of Soviet power. Regions shaded in pink mark the consolidation of a political glacis from the Baltic to the Balkans—Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia prominent among the states sliding into the Soviet orbit. The cartography hints at Poland’s dramatic westward shift and underscores the strategic logic of a buffer zone buttressing the Soviet Union. Across Germany, occupation areas are delineated, signaling a divided polity that, while not yet two states, is already two systems in gestation. What would soon be labeled an Iron Curtain is here rendered as a chromatic frontier, a visual prelude to the ideological, military, and economic bifurcation that would define European affairs for the next half-century.

Western and Southern Europe appear as counterweights in this unfolding balance of power. The United Kingdom retains global commitments even as it leads continental recovery efforts alongside France, while Italy—fresh from armistice and internal realignment—re-enters the European mainstream. Norway anchors the northern flank of a maritime space that ties European security to transatlantic strength. The inclusion of the United States and Canada on the same sheet is telling: it situates Europe’s reconstruction within a wider Atlantic system that would soon coalesce into enduring partnerships. This is a map of alignments in embryo, a study of how geography, logistics, and ideology converge to shape the institutions and alliances that followed.

Just as striking is the map’s treatment of empire. Careful shading identifies British, French, and other colonial spheres, from Egypt and South Africa to British Guiana, while India—on the cusp of 1947 independence—signals the gathering momentum of decolonization. The cartography situates European metropoles within their global networks, making clear that postwar settlements in Berlin or Paris reverberated in Cairo, Delhi, and Georgetown. In East Asia, the inclusion of China and Japan captures a shifting strategic theater: Japan under occupation and China entering a decisive civil conflict. Australia’s prominence underscores the Pacific’s growing weight in postwar planning. The result is a rare synthesis—Europe’s redrawn borders set within a world system whose imperial scaffolding is visibly beginning to give way.

Designed as Map 2 and bearing the CIA reference 503740 4-78 (541369), this work reads like a masterclass in geopolitical clarity. Countries are cleanly labeled, the legend is exacting, and the color coding makes complex relationships immediately legible—Soviet-dominated regions in pink, colonial affiliations in distinctive tones, contested spaces signposted with care. For the historian, it is a primary lens on 1945’s unsettled equilibrium; for the collector, it is a statement piece that unites Europe’s reconstruction with the first tremors of decolonization. Above all, it is a lucid, authoritative artifact that freezes the world at the hinge of two eras—war’s end and the long, anxious dawn of the Cold War.

Places on this map

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Poland
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• United Kingdom
• Soviet Union
• Hungary
• Czechoslovakia
• Norway
• Egypt
• South Africa
• British Guiana
• Cuba
• India
• China
• Japan
• Australia

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Color Coding: Different colors to represent countries based on their political status and colonial connections.
• Soviet-dominated Regions: Identified in pink, showing areas under satellite states or influence.
• Colonial Regions: Countries and territories marked with different shades to depict colonial powers (British, French, etc.).
• Key Regions Labeled: Countries like Poland, Germany, and various colonial territories are prominently labeled.
• Legend: A legend detailing the color coding for understanding political and colonial influences.

Historical and design context

• Title: Changing face of Europe and colonial tension, late 1945
• Source: Created by the United States Central Intelligence Agency in 1945.
• Purpose: The map documents the political landscape of Europe at the end of World War II, showcasing shifts in national borders, occupation zones, and the early postwar balance of power.
• Soviet Influence: It highlights countries under or transitioning into Soviet influence, visually representing the emerging divide between Eastern and Western Europe.
• Decolonization: Additionally, it identifies colonial holdings and areas of tension, marking the onset of postwar decolonization efforts.
• Historical Context: Reflects post-World War II geopolitical dynamics and foreshadows the Cold War's ideological divisions.
• Themes: National borders, colonialism, Soviet expansion, and decolonization.
• Reference Information: Designated as Map 2, with CIA reference number 503740 4-78 (541369).

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.

This map is wider than most maps, which would make it a perfect statement piece above a mantelpiece, sofa or desk.

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
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• 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 5-year guarantee.

Read our 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.