Egypte et Abyssinie

Detailed map of Egypt published during Britain’s ‘veiled protectorate.’

After the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882, British influence across Egypt rapidly increased at the expense of local authorities, the French, and the Ottoman Empire, nominal rulers of the Egyptian Khedivate. Though the British had no official jurisdiction, disproportionate military and economic power led to de-facto control. The custodianship was solidified at the outbreak of World War I, when Britain would officially occupy the country after Turkey joined the Central Powers.

This detailed map of Egypt and Abyssinia was published in Paris about over two decades before that momentous occurrence, around 1890 or so. Light pastel colors differentiate between the various political components of the diverse region, while numerous place names label settlements, regions, and prominent geographic features across the image.

An inset map in the upper right shows the route of the Suez Canal – a critical consideration of British geopolitical strategy and the protection of the ‘jewel’ of the Empire, India. The lower right features a small profile view of Cairo with a number of minarets punctuating the skyline.