Antique map of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, 1735

Published in 1735, A. Maas’s Nova Maris Caspii et Regionis Usbeck cum Provinciis Adjecentibus Vera Delineatio (“New and True Delineation of the Caspian Sea and the Region of Usbek with Adjacent Provinces”) is a rare and richly detailed map depicting Central Asia and the Caspian Sea during a time of growing European interest in the geography and geopolitics of the East. This finely engraved work offers a valuable historical perspective on the territories of modern-day Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and surrounding regions during the early 18th century.

The map reflects the heightened curiosity of European cartographers in the wake of Russian explorations and increased contact with the Persian and Central Asian worlds. At the center lies the Caspian Sea, whose contours had long been debated in Western cartography. Maas presents it with updated, more accurate proportions—likely influenced by recent expeditions, including those of Russian surveyors under Peter the Great.

Surrounding the Caspian are territories labeled with historical or ethnographic names such as “Usbeck,” “Hyrcania,” and “Media,” blending classical references with contemporary geographic knowledge. Important trade routes, river systems, and settlements are depicted, reflecting the region’s significance along the Silk Road and its strategic location between the Russian Empire, Persia, and Central Asia.

Decorative elements typical of 18th-century cartography enhance the composition: elaborate title cartouches, compass roses, and mythological sea creatures lend visual appeal and symbolism. Inscriptions are primarily in Latin, positioning the map within the scholarly traditions of Enlightenment Europe.

A. Maas’s map stands as both a scientific and artistic achievement—documenting a region in flux and bridging ancient geographical traditions with emerging empirical knowledge. Today, it remains a prized artifact for historians, collectors, and scholars of Eurasian cartography, shedding light on how Europeans viewed and interpreted Central Asia in the early modern period.