The Caracas, issued by John Pinkerton in 1815, is a landmark statement of South America at the very moment Venezuela first emerged on the world stage. Among the earliest maps to register an independent Venezuela, it frames the upheaval of the revolutionary era within a finely observed geography that stretches across Venezuela and Colombia and deep into Brazil, following the Amazon and its tributaries far into the interior. Recognized in its day as one of the finest regional treatments to appear in an English atlas, it pairs political insight with scientific restraint. Borders are cleanly differentiated, terrain is richly articulated, and major waterways are traced with an authority that still feels fresh, all while an elegant cartouche confers a sense of classical dignity.

Pinkerton, the Scottish savant whose atlas set new standards in accuracy and design, drew on the latest Spanish colonial surveys, naval charts, and traveler reports to reframe a region in motion. His work was celebrated for its clarity and exactness, surpassing contemporaries such as Cary and Thomson in both engraving finesse and editorial rigor. On this sheet, political divisions are organized by a refined color system, while the physical landscape is rendered with disciplined shading. Inset indicators of latitude and longitude guide the eye with scientific poise, and an ornate cartouche at the top right anchors the composition with period taste and authority.

The political drama of the 1810s is written across the borders Pinkerton delineates. Venezuela’s nascent sovereignty is distinctly marked, set against the lingering fabric of New Granada and neighboring jurisdictions still contested or in flux. Caracas presides as the capital of a restless republic; Maracaibo and Valencia signal coastal and inland power, while Barquisimeto nods to the routes threading the interior. Across the Andes, Colombia’s Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali form a constellation of highland cities whose fortunes were tied to the revolutionary tide that would soon culminate in Gran Colombia. The map captures this hinge in time—when diplomacy, war, and geography were redrawing the northern rim of South America.

Equally compelling is the physical stage on which these events unfolded. Pinkerton models the Andean cordilleras as a muscular spine, stepping down through valleys toward the Magdalena and Cauca, while eastward the country unfurls into the Llanos, feeding the vast Orinoco system through arteries like the Meta and Apure. Lake Maracaibo gleams as both lagoon and conduit, and the Amazon’s dominion is tracked south and east with meticulous labeling of its great courses, including the Rio Negro converging near Manaus. Mountain chains, valleys, and watersheds are not merely decorative—they are explanatory, revealing how terrain channelled trade, settlement, and strategy across the region.

Cities and routes are inscribed with the certainty of Pinkerton’s hand. Caracas anchors Venezuela’s interior network; Maracaibo guards the western littoral; Valencia and Barquisimeto mark the corridors that knit uplands to coast. In Colombia, Bogotá’s plateau authority contrasts with Medellín’s basin and Cali’s passage toward the Pacific, while Manaus rises where dark waters meet, a gateway to the upper Amazon. The color-coded borders provide an immediate political reading, while the latitudinal and longitudinal indicators affirm the map’s scientific intent. As a whole, this composition distills early nineteenth-century understanding into a lucid, beautiful synthesis—an enduring reference for historians and a connoisseur’s piece for those who prize the union of art and intelligence.

Cities and towns on this map

• Caracas
• Maracaibo
• Valencia
• Barquisimeto
• Bogotá
• Medellín
• Cali
• Manaus

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Color-coded borders representing different regions
• Detailed topographical features, including mountains and valleys
• Major rivers and tributaries labeled
• An ornate cartouche at the top right that adds a decorative element to the map
• Inset geographical indicators for latitude and longitude

Historical and design context

• One of the earliest maps to show an independent Venezuela
• Represents a fascinating revolutionary period in South America
• Recognized as one of the best regional maps of the area in an English atlas during that period
• Pinkerton’s elephant folio atlas is noted for exceptional engraving and detail, surpassing lesser-known atlases like those by Cary & Thomson
• Highly detailed coverage of Venezuela, Colombia, and part of Brazil, extending south to include most of the Amazon and its tributaries

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 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

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.