The United States the Land and the People

Multi-lingual pictorial map celebrating America’s diversity and economic abundance.

Printed in Holland as a souvenir map for the Brussels Universal and International Exhibition, this map is a wonderful celebration of the ethnic diversity that makes up the United States. “It is a country of great diversity in its land and its people. The people are the most varied of all for they stem from countries and national origins throughout the world. But in their differences, they share certain great traditions – freedom, equality, individual rights – taught in the home, the church, and the schools.”

These words, not empty platitudes, reflect the foundation upon which the country was established, and were celebrated as part of the United States exhibit at the World’s Fair. The map was handed out to visitors and included French and German text to appeal to a broader audience in Belgium.

The image itself shows the United States covered in colorful illustrations of agriculture, industry, and recreational activities. Attractions of note, such as Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, the Alamo, and Mission Santa Barbara are also depicted. Labels within each state highlight the primary national origin of its citizens, such as the Germans in Wisconsin and Korean and Chinese in California.

The international theme is quite literally “topped off” with eight figures wearing traditional (and perhaps stereotypical – note the baguettes) dress from their native countries. On the verso is an abstract layout of the United States Pavilion at the fair, which included such attractions as a children’s creative center, nuclear energy exhibit, and a 206 ft. screen called the Circarama. T

he map was designed by Mary Ronin, an advertising illustrator at Bloomingdales and one of the first female art directors in New York. Published in 1958 by the U.S. Department of State for distribution at the United States Pavilion – Brussels Universal and International Exposition.