World Wall Map 1981 by National Geographic

Borders, Cultures & Time Zones — World Wall Map (1981)

A snapshot of the late–Cold War world, rendered with clarity and restraint. Published by National Geographic in December 1981, this world sheet blends vivid political boundaries with dense, readable labelling and timely thematic insets. Thousands of place names (including capitals), plus Arctic and Antarctic panels, are set out in clean cartography that rewards both room-distance viewing and close study. It’s the fabric of a connected planet—ordered, comparative, and unmistakably of its era—made to study, admire, and display.

More Than a Map – A Testament to History

This isn’t just wall art—it’s a cultural and geographic reference for the early 1980s. Compare national borders while exploring insets for Language Groups of the World, Religions of the World, Population Density, and World Time Zones—a concise portrait of how people are distributed, organised, and synchronised. Ideal for educators, planners, historians, designers, and collectors, this sheet stands alone beautifully and pairs perfectly with earlier and later National Geographic world maps for then-and-now comparison.

Hang it in studios, libraries, classrooms, museums, offices, or at home to invite reflection, study, and conversation.

Premium Materials & Finishes

We treat history with the respect it deserves. That’s why we offer multiple formats, each produced using high-quality materials and modern archival printing.

🌟 Archival Paper Print
Printed on heavyweight 160gsm archival-grade paper.
Smooth matte finish reduces glare and preserves fine linework and small labels.
Ideal for framing under glass—clean, timeless, and built to last.

💎 Laminated Edition
Encapsulated in two sheets of 80-micron gloss laminate using true thermal bonding—not just surface lamination.
Moisture-resistant, wipe-clean surface—perfect for classrooms and high-traffic reference spaces.

Optional Natural Timber Hang Rails: lacquered rails with a fitted hanging cord provide a polished, ready-to-hang presentation—no frame required. (Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery with hang rails.)

🏆 Museum-Quality Canvas
Printed on heavyweight 395gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas for rich texture and exceptional strength.
Pigment-based, fade-resistant inks deliver deep tone and crisp typography that endure for generations.

Optional Natural Timber Hang Rails: lacquered to enhance the wood grain and protect against wear; top cord for effortless hanging—elegant in any setting. (Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery with hang rails.)

Specifications

Why Choose This Map

✔ Era-True Snapshot: Borders and global context exactly as presented in 1981.
✔ Cultural Lens: Dedicated language and religion insets illuminate people, not just places.
✔ Layered Insight: Population and time-zone panels add immediacy and utility.
✔ Clarity at Scale: Classic National Geographic styling with dense, legible detail.
✔ Archival Craft: Premium substrates and inks preserve contrast, labels, and linework for decades.

Our Commitment

We believe that preserving history is as important as telling it. Every map is printed locally in Australia using state-of-the-art technology, carefully checked by hand, and packed with care. From the moment it leaves our workshop to the day it hangs on your wall, we ensure quality you can trust and a legacy you’ll be proud to share.

Bring the world of 1981 into focus. Order the World Wall Map (1981) today—a faithful, beautifully produced sheet that turns a room into a conversation.