A map of world centred on the Americas and the Pacific Ocean showing political boundaries as they were in 1861. Russia still controls Alaska, which is labelled 'Russian America'. Queensland is still part of the colony of North Australia. Small sections of the Antarctic coast have been discovered, including Victoria Land, Enderby Land, and Graham's Land, though the size of the continent is still unknown. Italy and Germany have unified, but Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire still control large sections of both newly-formed nations. The borders of the United States follow their modern configuration, but much of the western US remains only lightly settled and charted.

The routes of several explorers are also charted on the map, including those of Cook, Vancouver, and La Perouse. The route of the 1840 United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes is also labelled with great prominence. 

Original colour. [WLD4951]