1883 Doughty Map of North West Arabia (Saudi Arabia)

This is an interesting 1883 map of northwestern Arabia or modern day Saudi Arabia by Charles M. Doughty. It covers from Mecca (Medina) north to Eilat including the Gulf of Aqaba and inland as far as Buraydah. Throughout, the map notes important towns, geology, ruins, camps, water stations and topography. The route followed by Charles Doughty is marked in red. An inset in the lower left quadrant depicts the north part of Arabia from the Gulf of Aqaba north past the Dead Sea to Jarash. Three sections showing the geological constitution of the Peninsula of Arabia are featured along the right margin.

The map depicts the journey of the English poet, writer, and traveller Charles M. Doughty. Doughty traveled in Arabia from November 1876 to August 1878 and in Paraea on the eastern side of the Jordan River Valley in May and June of 1875. During his travels, he lived amongst the Bedu, giving him one of the closest western looks at Arab life during the time. His book Travels in Arabia Deserta, from where this map comes from, is considered to be a one of the finest examples of travel writing of its time. It relates Doughty’s treks and discoveries through the Arabian desert.

This map was issued as part of the 1926 edition of Charles M. Doughty’s Travels in Arabia Deserta.