Trending Old French World Map Of The Global Petroleum Industry, 1958: Suez Crisis Impact, Oil Fields, Mid-century Cartography All Sizes Available [lZA9GQyH]

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of mid-century cartography with "Le Pétrole dans le Monde," a masterful 1958 creation by the Union des chambres syndicales du pétrole. This striking map offers a rare window into the global petroleum industry at a pivotal moment in history, when oil was rapidly becoming the lifeblood of modern economies and a central player in international affairs. The original French title, elegantly inscribed, sets the tone for a piece that is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually arresting—a true testament to the era’s fascination with industrial progress and geopolitical strategy.

Commissioned in the aftermath of the 1956 Suez Crisis, this map is more than a geographical record; it is a chronicle of shifting power and energy flows. Thematic layers are meticulously rendered, with yellow circles and oil rig towers pinpointing the world’s key oil-producing regions, their size corresponding to the volume of crude extracted. Red-shaded areas reveal the extent of active oil fields, while sweeping green expanses highlight sedimentary basins—regions brimming with potential yet-to-be-tapped reserves. Gray arrows elegantly trace the primary exportation routes, evoking the ceaseless movement of petroleum across continents and oceans.

The cartographic style is both functional and decorative, blending the clarity of mid-20th-century industrial maps with the artistry of vintage wall charts. The map’s projection and layout ensure that every continent and ocean is depicted with precision, while a rich palette of colors and bold symbols guide the viewer’s eye from the bustling oil fields of the Middle East to the emerging markets of South America and beyond. Inset maps provide further granularity, focusing on strategic regions such as Venezuela, the United States, and the Middle East, and offering detailed insights into pipeline networks, refinery locations, and the evolving geography of oil.

Historical context is woven throughout, with annotations and visual cues that speak to the era’s anxieties and ambitions. One inset map, for example, illustrates the dramatic impact of the Suez Crisis on global oil distribution, a reminder of how geopolitics and energy have always been intertwined. Two meticulously drawn graphs chart the explosive growth of oil production from 1900 to 1956 and the shifting balance of global energy sources, capturing the inexorable rise of petroleum alongside coal, natural gas, and hydroelectric power.

"Le Pétrole dans le Monde" is a rare synthesis of art, industry, and history. It stands as both a document of its time and a work of enduring beauty, offering collectors and connoisseurs a chance to own a tangible piece of the 20th century’s energy revolution. Whether displayed in a study, library, or boardroom, this map invites reflection on the forces that have shaped our modern world, and on the enduring allure of vintage cartographic craftsmanship.

Countries and regions on this map

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Middle East (specifically highlighted region)
• United States (detailed inset)
• Venezuela (detailed inset)
• Mediterranean region (highlighted due to Suez Crisis inset)
• Various clearly labeled countries and regions within these continents and areas, as visible on the map

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Prominent yellow circles and oil rig tower icons clearly indicating major oil-producing areas
• Red-colored regions marking active oil fields
• Green-colored sedimentary basins indicating potential petroleum reserves
• Gray arrows illustrating major global petroleum export routes
• Inset map specifically illustrating the impact of the 1956 Suez Crisis on oil distribution routes
• Detailed inset maps of Venezuela, the United States, and the Middle East, clearly showing pipelines, pipeline projects, and refinery locations
• Graphs depicting historical trends in oil production and energy sources from 1900 to 1956
• Clear labeling of major oceans and seas, such as the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea
• Annotations and historical notes providing context about the petroleum industry and trade routes

Historical and design context

• Created in 1958 by the Union des chambres syndicales du pétrole
• Printed by Imp. Lafayette
• Captures the global petroleum industry's status shortly after the Suez Crisis (1956)
• Combines thematic, political, and physical mapping techniques typical of mid-20th-century educational and industrial maps
• Uses clear symbols, vivid colors, and detailed annotations
• Reflects the geopolitical importance of oil and the shifting dynamics of energy production and trade during the Cold War era

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 is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that 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.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.