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Shanghai before the War
New Map of Shanghai
Issued by the Ya Kwang Geographical Institute.
[Shanghai],
Published by the Asia Geographical Institute,
October, 1940.
Chromolithograph plan, inset plans of Western District Extension, Central District, Shanghai Central of Municipal District, and Native City, folding into original black cloth covers, lettered in silver, some damp-staining to left portion of plan and upper cover.
1383
Detailed plan of Shanghai.
During the 1920s and 30s Shanghai had become the most important port in Asia, with tea, silks and porcelain being exported to Europe and America, and a great deal of opium being imported. The city was home to some 3 million inhabitants, of which 70,000 were foreigners. Although small in number, the foreigners (mainly British, French, American, Russian and Japanese), due to land concessions - which are clearly delineated on the map - controlled almost half the city and much of the import and export trade. What is not marked on the plan, however, are the city's notorious opium dens and whorehouses; with such earthly temptations well catered for and no passports or visas required, Shanghai became an infamous and exotic port of call.
During the 1920s and 30s Shanghai had become the most important port in Asia, with tea, silks and porcelain being exported to Europe and America, and a great deal of opium being imported. The city was home to some 3 million inhabitants, of which 70,000 were foreigners. Although small in number, the foreigners (mainly British, French, American, Russian and Japanese), due to land concessions - which are clearly delineated on the map - controlled almost half the city and much of the import and export trade. What is not marked on the plan, however, are the city's notorious opium dens and whorehouses; with such earthly temptations well catered for and no passports or visas required, Shanghai became an infamous and exotic port of call.
