Portugal Is Not A Small Country
- Title:
- Portugal Is Not A Small Country
- Alternate Title:
- Portugal Is Not A Small Country
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Secretariado da Propaganda Nacional
- Date:
- 1951
- Posted Date:
- 2017-04-14
- ID Number:
- 2256.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_2256_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1940 - 1959
- Subject:
- Imperialism
Unusual Graphics/Text - Measurement:
- 10 x 14 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- This map is based on one produced by Henrique Galvão in 1934, supporting the imperial ambitions of the then-new Portuguese dictator Antonio Salazar. See Notes and other information for ID #1237. That map showed the colonies of Portugal overlaid on a map of Europe accompanied by data showing that Portugal with its colonies (principally Angola and Mozambique) was larger than the total area of Spain, France, England, Italy and Germany combined.
This map was produced in a number of other forms and formats over the years, many in Portuguese (aimed at strengthening internal support for the state) but also in other European languages (aimed at visitors to Portugal). The collection includes postcard versions of the map in Portuguese (ID #2120), French (ID #1238) and English (ID #2256).
In this case, an English language postcard published in 1951 shows Portugal and its colonies overlaid not on a map of Europe, but a map of the U.S. Text on the verso of the postcard compares the area of the U.S. to that of "Portugal, on the continent and overseas . . . more than the united area, in Europe, of Germany, France, Spain, England and Italy." The card concludes - in text not found on European versions - "By its history Portugal contributed more than any other country in the world to the discoveries and to the extension and predominance of Christian civilization." The postcard itself is a "QSL card," confirmation of radio communication between two amateur ("ham") radio stations.
It was not uncommon for persuasive maps to be reproduced and distributed in postcard form, as an inexpensive means to reach a larger audience than posters. In addition to the examples above, see ID #1179 (Le Plan Pangermaniste), #1203 (Englands Not), and #1182 (L'Entente Cordiale).
For more than a century, persuasive cartographers seeking to enhance the relative significance of their countries have imposed the outlines of one or more other nations on a map of their own. For other examples in the collection, Search > "relative size".
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.