This very rare large format map of the Arabian Peninsula was quite the international collaboration, "prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) under the joint sponsorship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Finance and National Economy, and the U.S. Department of State." According to the notes in the bottom left corner of the map, it was prepared as a base for a forthcoming geologic map, which was eventually published in 1963 in both English and Arabic editions. The ambitious mapping project dates back to 1953, when the USGS, Aramco, the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and the Minister of Finance for Saudi Arabia officially established their goal to create a comprehensive geological map of the Arabian Peninsula. A team of surveyors including Glen F. Brown, Richard A. Bramkamp, Leon F. Ramirez, Roy O. Jackson, and Simon H. Kfoury compiled the map using mostly aerial photography and "ground traverses." These meticulous surveys were critical for the development of Saudi Arabia, and their DNA can be found in any modern maps of the region. On a 1:2,000,000 scale.

Although this map (I-270 B-1) was only a preliminary edition, issued five years before the official completed edition, the level of detail is truly astonishing. The legend identifies cities, villages, roads (surfaced, primary, and secondary), trails, railroads, airports, ruins, water and oil pipelines, pumping stations, refineries, sabkhah ("Silt, clay, and sand flats, often with saline incrustations"), coral reefs, lava flows, and more. A glossary translates Arabic and Persian terms into English. The process of compiling the map is described in detail in the notes at bottom left.

References:

Condition: A

A bright example, issued folding, with minor wear along the folds and a bit of toning at top right.