One of the main responsibilities of the Department of the Interior was the “exploration of western wilderness” (“History of the Interior”). All this territory belonged to the United States and an American citizen looking at this map could see the endless possibilities of the frontier. Not only does the map show densely populated areas, it unveils the never ending wilderness to the left. The densest areas (mostly coastal areas) are indicated by a dark shade of brown and the color lightens as it travels west and the population becomes less dense.

The Department of the Interior put together maps that showed population density with this information. The first census of the United States was collected in 1790.

The Population of the United States map proves that a map of one nation can have an impact on the way America potentially behaves internationally. The map, along with its necessary silences, is an early example of the young nation showcasing its potential power. However, this map does exclude certain groups, such as the Native Americans. Maps like these provide a sense of identity as an American citizen. This was the first time Americans were able to pinpoint exactly where they were on the map while also showcasing the uncivilized western territory. How could a map exclusively of the United States shape national identity and American international relations? The Department of the Interior’s map of the population of the United States shows the population density of 1790.

Us density population map