Carte Générale de l'Indochine Française

Comprehensive vintage map of French Indochina comprising of modern Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam published during the First IndoChina War (1946-1954).



The map focuses on the infrastructure and physical geography of the countries, and highlights the colonial routes and boundaries. A detailed legend to the markings can be found in the lower left corner.




The cartography for the map was compiled by the Ministère des Travaux Publics et des Transports [Ministry of Public Works and Transport], at the Institut Géographique Nationals in Paris. Earlier iterations of this map are noted to have been first printed in 1945, and this example includes corrections to 1948.




Service Géographique de l'Indochine was established in 1899 by the French forces occupying the region, with the intention of creating the most up-to-date maps using modern scientific mapping practices to map their colony. There is not a formal date for when Service Géographique ceased to publish but it is likely that this occurred when the French left Vietnam around May 1954.




Printed colour. Manuscript markings. (SL)
[SEAS5088]