The World Map 1939 offers a historical view of national boundaries and political geography before and during the early stages of World War II. A labeled political map from this period can help students, teachers, researchers, and history enthusiasts understand how countries were positioned in 1939 and compare those boundaries with modern maps.
On this page, you can explore printable World Map 1939 images and PDF versions for educational use, classroom activities, historical research, and geography projects. Choose the map that best suits your needs, then check its labels and printing quality before using it.
Quick facts
- Map type: Historical political world map
- Historical period: 1939
- Primary use: Studying historical geography and national boundaries
- Available formats: Map images and linked PDF files
- Suitable for: Students, teachers, researchers, and history enthusiasts
World Map 1939
The World Map 1939 provides a useful starting point for examining the political geography of the world at the beginning of World War II in Europe. Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, and Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September. These events marked the beginning of the war in Europe.
A historical map helps place these events in geographical context by showing the locations of countries, borders, and regions as represented in the map’s particular historical source.
When studying a historical map, check its publication date, legend, and boundary conventions. A map labeled 1939 may represent a particular date or source rather than every political change that occurred throughout that year.
Printable World Map 1939
A printable World Map 1939 is useful for classroom assignments, history presentations, revision notes, and personal study. PDF files are especially convenient because they generally preserve the document’s page layout when opened on different devices.
Before printing, open the PDF and inspect the map’s labels, borders, and page orientation. Use landscape orientation when it provides more room for country names and smaller geographical features.
How to print the map clearly
- Open the PDF file using a PDF reader.
- Select A4 or Letter paper, depending on your printer and requirements.
- Choose landscape orientation if it suits the map’s dimensions.
- Select Fit to Page to keep the entire map within the printable area.
- Check the preview to ensure that country names and boundary lines remain legible.
- If labels appear too small, consider printing on larger paper or using a higher-resolution version, if available.
Printing quality depends on the source file’s resolution, the page dimensions, and the printer settings. A PDF does not automatically guarantee that every label will be readable at every paper size.
Political Map of the World 1939
A political map emphasizes countries, borders, territories, and place names rather than physical features such as mountain ranges and elevation. The Political Map of the World 1939 can help readers investigate the historical arrangement of states and compare it with present-day political geography.
The year is particularly important because Europe experienced major political changes before and during World War II. For example, Austria had been annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, and the state of Czechoslovakia was dismantled in 1938–1939. Poland was invaded by Germany on 1 September 1939 and by the Soviet Union from the east on 17 September.
These developments demonstrate why the date and historical context of a map matter. Boundaries should be interpreted according to the period represented, not assumed to match modern international borders.
What Did the World Look Like in 1939?
The political geography of 1939 differed significantly from today’s map. Countries had different boundaries, some territories were under colonial administration, and political changes in Europe were already reshaping the international landscape.
Here are five historical facts that help explain the period:
- World War II began in Europe: Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939.
- Britain and France declared war: Both countries declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939.
- Poland was invaded from two directions: Soviet forces entered eastern Poland on 17 September 1939.
- Czechoslovakia had been dismantled: The country no longer existed in its pre-1938 form by March 1939.
- Historical boundaries require a date: Political changes during the year mean that a map’s exact date and source can affect how its borders should be interpreted.
These facts provide a starting point for exploring the map, but they do not establish that every map labeled 1939 depicts the same boundaries. Always consult the map’s own legend and source details when precision matters.
World Map 1939 vs. the Modern World Map
Comparing a historical world map with a modern map can reveal changes in borders, country names, territorial status, and political organization.
| Feature | World map from 1939 | Modern world map |
|---|---|---|
| National boundaries | Reflect a historical date or period | Reflect more recent boundary information |
| Country names | May use historical names | Generally uses current conventional names |
| Political status | May include former states, colonies, or territories | Reflects current political arrangements |
| Historical context | Useful for studying events around World War II | Useful for present-day geography |
| Main purpose | Historical comparison and research | Current geographical reference |
The table describes general differences rather than claiming that every historical map contains the same features. For an accurate comparison, select a map with a clearly stated date and reliable source.
How to Use a World Map 1939 for Learning
A labeled historical map can make geography and history lessons more interactive.
- For students: Locate countries mentioned in World War II lessons and connect them with historical events.
- For teachers: Use the map to explain geographical context before discussing a timeline of events.
- For researchers: Compare historical boundaries with maps from earlier or later years, checking each map’s source.
- For geography enthusiasts: Identify changes in country names, borders, and territorial arrangements.
- For presentations: Use a legible map image or printed copy to illustrate historical discussions, subject to the applicable image-use permissions.
An effective learning activity is to select three countries or regions, identify their locations on the 1939 map, and then compare them with a modern political map. Record any changes and verify each observation using a credible historical reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a World Map 1939?
A World Map 1939 is a historical map intended to show the world’s political or geographical arrangement around 1939. Its exact details depend on the map’s source and the date it represents.
2. Where can I download a World Map 1939 PDF?
You can use the PDF links provided in the sections above. Open a link, check the document, and use your browser or PDF reader’s download option if the file is available.
3. Is a labeled political map of the world from 1939 useful for students?
Yes. It can help students locate countries and regions mentioned in historical events, study changes in political boundaries, and compare past geography with the modern world.
4. Why did the political map of the world change after 1939?
World War II, occupation, annexation, decolonization, and later political developments changed the status and boundaries of many territories. Changes occurred at different times, so a map from one year should not be treated as a record of every later development.
5. What is the difference between a political map and a physical map?
A political map focuses on borders, countries, territories, and place names. A physical map emphasizes natural features such as mountains, plains, rivers, and elevation.
6. Can I print the World Map 1939 on A4 paper?
You can try printing an available PDF on A4 paper using Fit to Page. However, small country names may be difficult to read. Check the print preview and use larger paper if necessary.
7. Does a 1939 world map show today’s country boundaries?
No, not necessarily. A historical map represents the boundaries and political information selected by its creator. Compare it with a current map if you need up-to-date boundaries.
8. What should I check before using a historical map for research?
Check the map’s creator, publication date, historical date represented, legend, source notes, and usage permissions. For academic work, cite the original map or its archival record whenever possible.
Reference links
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-europe
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/invasion-of-poland-fall-1939
https://www.fdrlibrary.org/wwii-facts
https://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/finding-aid/civilian/rg-84-poland.html
https://geo.nyu.edu/catalog/85e35d64d67f425c94ebca45dad6568a_4
