United Nations Map of the World

A spectacular visual celebration of the United Nations issued the year after WWII.

The catastrophe of WWII opened the eyes of the world to the horrors made possible by the modern, large-scale industrialized warfare. The United Nations was organized in October of 1945 among a large portion of the international community to ensure such a conflict would never happen again.

This map, published in Britain the year after the war, showcases the worldwide structure and organization of the United Nations. The image (note that international borders are omitted) is filled with vignettes and text celebrating global development and exploration. Symbols of participating nations dominate the borders and negative space, with flashy imagery clearly emphasizing their unique identity while highlighting cooperation and cohesion. The text of the Atlantic Charter and the United Nations declaration are printed in full at the bottom.

However, in many ways, the map’s message extends beyond the political, and is a broader commentary on the status of postwar civilization and optimism for the future. Quotes from the Bible are shown next to a yin yang in the compass rose, technological change between the ancient and modern is highlighted on either side, along with an overview of the solar system. These abstract reflections seem to be a commentary on the connectedness of humankind across time. The image was drawn by L.G. Bullock and published in Edinburgh by John Bartholomew & Son.