Turkey in Europe

Detailed overview of the Turkish Empire in Europe shortly before the Crimean War.

This expertly engraved map vividly details the extent of the Ottoman Empire in Europe during the mid-19th century. It stretches from the Adriatic to the Black Sea; including portions of Greece, the Bosporus Strait, and large swathes of Eastern Europe. The rugged relief of the Balkans is shown in hachure, and a legend below the title block provides a helpful guide to the often confusing geographic place names. Below that is a small note regarding recent political reorganization within the territory.

This is emblematic of the larger struggle faced by the Ottoman Empire throughout the century, where Russian aggression and national independence movements plagued what would eventually become known as “The Sick Man of Europe.” Shortly after publication, conflict between the Ottomans (backed by France and Britain) and the Russians would once again erupt with the Crimean War.

The map was engraved by brothers William and Alexander Keith Johnston, one of the foremost cartographic publishing firms in the 19th century, in Edinburgh around 1850. It was included as sheet number 13 in their scarce National Atlas.