Interstates, Relief & Territories — United States of America Wall Map (1987)

A snapshot of America in the late Cold War era, rendered with clarity and restraint. Published by National Geographic in September 1987 (updating the September 1982 edition), this U.S. sheet blends classic National Geographic colour with thousands of place names, expressive relief shading, and richly layered transport detail. Thoughtful insets for Alaska (including a focused Fairbanks–Anchorage panel) and Hawai‘i (both the main islands and the full chain) join a panel of principal outlying territories—a composition as informative as it is beautiful.

More Than a Map – A Testament to History

This isn’t just wall art—it’s the nation’s modern network at a glance. Read Interstates and major roads, scan rivers, lakes, mountain ranges, elevations, and note ocean depth soundings along the coasts. Ideal for educators, planners, historians, designers, and collectors, it pairs perfectly with the 1976 and 1990s U.S. maps for a compelling timeline 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 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—ready to display. (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 grain; 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: America’s networks and landscapes as mapped in 1987.
✔ Layered Insight: Interstates, terrain, and ocean soundings in one cohesive design.
✔ Nation & Beyond: Clear, informative insets for Alaska, Hawai‘i, and outlying territories.
✔ 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.

See the United States in the late-20th-century networked age. Order the United States of America (1987) today—a faithful, beautifully produced sheet that turns a room into a conversation.