1908 Ludwig Transportation Map of Argentina

This a 1908 Pablo Ludwig's map of Argentina's railroad system. The map illustrates a period of prosperity and growth in Argentina that led to a massive expansion of the national railroad network.

Historical Context

Although railroad construction in Argentina began in the 1860s, and saw rapid expansion throughout the late 19th century, the Baring Crisis, an acute global recession also known as the Panic of 1890, derailed progress in the late 19th century. Nonetheless, by 1908, when this map was issued, the country was in the midst of yet another railroad boom and tracking increased from roughly 9000 km in 1890 to 29,000 km by 1910.

A Closer Look

More than one dozen different combinations of color and pattern differentiate between railroad lines, all of which are labeled. Telegraph lines and mail routes are also noted. Maritime routes from Valparaiso and Montevideo are labeled with their destinations, but only a few routes leave from Buenos Aires, nearly all of which go up the Uruguay and Parana Rivers. Insets of the regions around Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Tucuman are situated along the top border, and an inset detailing southern South America and Tierra del Fuego occupied the upper left corner. An alphabetical index of hundreds of cities, towns, ports, and other locations is included along the bottom border.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Pablo Ludwig in 1908. We see no examples cataloged in any institutional collection, in dealer catalogs or auction records, making this the only known surviving example.