World Wall Map 1988 by National Geographic

Borders, Relief & Cultures — World Wall Map (1988)

A snapshot of the late–20th-century world, rendered with clarity and restraint. Published by National Geographic in December 1988 (the Society’s centennial), this world sheet blends vivid political boundaries with rich physical geography and timely cultural insets. Thousands of place names (including capitals), relief shading across land and sea, and dramatic Eastern/Western Hemisphere physical panels are set out in clean, legible 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 comprehensive portrait of Earth at the close of the 1980s. Explore Arctic and Antarctic insets, compare global patterns through Population and Religions of the World panels, and read terrain at a glance via expressive relief shading. Ideal for educators, planners, historians, designers, and collectors, this sheet pairs beautifully with earlier and later National Geographic world maps for a powerful then-and-now display.

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 1988.
✔ Layered Insight: Population and religion insets add cultural depth to political and physical views.
✔ Polar & Physical Focus: Arctic/Antarctic and hemisphere relief panels make landforms instantly legible.
✔ Clarity at Scale: Classic National Geographic styling with dense, readable 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 centennial world into focus. Order the World Wall Map (1988) today—a faithful, beautifully produced sheet that turns a room into a conversation.