Atlas of Borders: Walls, Migrations and Conflict in 70 Maps

Through 70 stunning infographics and maps, this exciting and timely book looks at the borders that define our current world.

There are borders that are easily crossed and borders that are entirely impassable; there are visible borders – sometimes demarcated by fences, walls, flags and posts – and invisible borders – not seen on a physical map and oftentimes restrictive of access to targeted populations; there are land borders, maritime, political and cultural borders…

Presenting 70 case studies through maps and infographics, two experts in geopolitics reflect on the modern world through the lens of border lines helping the reader make sense of a complex world. Atlas of Borders addresses the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the repercussions of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the migration of peoples around the globe. Featuring up-to-date maps, the book also covers the aquatic borders of the Svalbard Islands, the borders of the eastern Mediterranean and the Blue Line dividing Lebanon and Israel.

In a confusing and at times chaotic world that seemingly defies interpretation, this atlas sheds light on larger issues behind the lines that separate or connect us.

Review

[A] sobering atlas... [Provides] a unique view of current flash points and crises, from Covid and Brexit to Ukraine and Taiwan [and] offers fine-grained cartographic context to contemporary conflicts.-- "Publishers Weekly" (9/5/2025 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Bruno Tertrais is deputy director of the Foundation for Strategic Research and the Associate Expert at the Institut Montaigne. He specializes in geopolitics and international relations, and he has written numerous books on these subjects. Delphine Papin works at the French Institute of Geopolitics. She is the head of the Infography and Cartography department at Le Monde newspaper. Xemartin Laborde is a cartographer and infographic designer at Le Monde.