Das Gebiet der Internationaen Kongo-Gesellschaft

This detailed map of the Congo shows the stations of the International Congo Society, an organization established by the Belgian king Leopold II to explore and exploit the resources of the Congo. Stations of other missionary societies, including Livingstone's Inland Mission, are also marked on the map. Red lines mark the routes of members of the International Congo Society in 1882 & 1883, reinforcing Belgian claims to this region. The map extends from the mouth of the River Congo, upstream as far as Lukolela. Kinshasa (Leopoldville) and Brazzaville are both marked.

The Geographische Mitteilungen, in which this map was originally published, is the oldest German language geographical journal - its first issue was in 1855 and it finally closed its doors in 2004. The magazine was conceived and edited by August Heinrich Petermann and published by the venerable firm of Justus Perthes in Gotha, Germany.

Its first article reported on an expedition into North Africa and the Sahara by Heinrich Barth and Adolf Overweg. This report was enough to secure a circulation of 4000 for the fledgling magazine and, more importantly, encouraged other important scientist-explorers of the day who were attracted by the magazine’s heavy scientific emphasis to send in their own reports.

In comparison to its contemporaries, such as the Geographical Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, the Mitteilungen had a far greater interest in ethnography and the physical and natural sciences, leading to the inclusion of many fascinating, but sometimes obscure, maps on the most recent theories related to climatology, meteorology, botany, and zoology.

Printed colour. [AFR6279]