1878 Migeon Map of Algeria

This is a fine example of J. Migeon's 1878 map of Algeria. The French colony of Algeria is depicted divided into the administrative districts of Oran, Alger and Constantine. The map also includes adjacent portions of Morocco in the west and Tunis in the east. After its conquest by the French in 1830, Algeria became an attractive destination for european immigrants. However the majority indigenous Muslim population was dissatisfied with the political system. This dissatisfaction would ultimately trigger the Algerian War and lead to Algeria's independence from France.

Migeon identifies various rivers, mountain passes, lakes and other topographical features. Migeon's Geographie Universelle, published in Paris, is one of the last great decorative atlases of the 19th century. It contains many stylistic elements of early 19th century cartography such as full hand coloring, numerous decorative vignettes, and high quality paper. This map was issued as plate no. 32 in Migeon's Geographie Universelle.