NEUE CARTE VON EUROPA.

Description

[New Map of Europe with the most noteworthy and prestigious Products of Trading Places together with the Surface Areas of all European countries in German square miles]

This meticulously crafted thematic map depicts the agricultural, extractive, and manufacturing industries across Europe at the end of the 18th century. It is regarded as one of the earliest known examples of economic mapping, offering a visual representation of production and trade throughout the continent.

Created by A.F.W. Crome, the map details the distribution of 56 commodities and goods, ranging from gold and copper to wine, salt, silk, hemp, and horses. A key at the bottom explains the symbols used to represent each product. At the same time, an innovative system of underlining distinguishes between goods consumed domestically, processed before consumption or export, and those exported outright. The map includes tables listing each European country’s leading products and total land area, providing an informative economic snapshot. A decorative cartouche further enhances its artistic appeal.

Historical Significance

According to cartographic historian Arthur H. Robinson, Crome’s work, first published in 1782, is considered the first thematic map focused on economic activity. At the time, Crome was a geography and history instructor in Dessau, later becoming a statistics and political economy professor in Giessen. His map employed a system of symbols to illustrate the distribution of commodities and key cities, ports, and transportation hubs, making it a pioneering effort in economic cartography. Due to its popularity and utility, the map was reissued multiple times over the following two decades.

A Groundbreaking Contribution to Thematic Cartography

Crome’s map stands as a milestone in the development of economic mapping, influencing later statistical and economic cartographers. By transforming complex economic data into a clear and visually engaging format, this work was pivotal in shaping how economic geography was studied and understood in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.