1982 Esso Pictorial Map of Mombasa Island, Mombasa, Kenya

An exceptional discovery, this is a 1982 Esso pictorial map of Mombasa Island, Kenya. This map was issued shortly after Esso took controlling stock in the Mombasa oil refineries - then among the most important oil refineries in Africa. The refineries fell under Kenyan government control in the 2000s and have been inoperative since.

A Closer Look

Depicting the entirety of Mombasa Island, the street network appears in detail with nearly all streets labeled. Buildings are illustrated pictorially, but very few locations are identified. Mombasa Central Station, the Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Mombasa Hospital, and Fort Jesus rank among the named sites. Moi International Airport appears along the top edge. An alphabetic street index is situated along the right edge.

Mombasa

In the 1980s, Mombasa, Kenya's coastal gem, experienced a blend of growth and cultural vibrancy. As a key East African port, the city saw economic expansion, especially in maritime trade, due to the strategic importance of the Port of Mombasa. This era also marked the blossoming of Mombasa's tourism sector, with its stunning beaches and unique Swahili culture attracting visitors from around the world. The city's cultural tapestry was further enriched by diverse influences, including African, Arab, Asian, and European, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and festivals. Despite challenges typical of urban growth, such as infrastructure development and population increase, Mombasa in the 1980s was a dynamic, evolving city, balancing modernization with the preservation of its rich historical and cultural legacy.

Publication History and Census

This map was published by Fotoform for Esso Standard Kenya in 1982 and distributed by Ines May Publicity. We note five examples cataloged in OCLC: the Library of Congress, the University of Florida, Northwestern University, the University of Oxford, and the State Library of New South Wales. We find no market history.