Cartographie coloniale et encadrement des populations en Afrique coloniale française, dans la première moitié du XXe siècle

Abstract

During the conquest, colonial cartography had geopolitical strategic stakes : it was intended to secure imperial influence over the African continent. Colonial mapping later helped to assert the economic and administrative control over the territories. The progressive improvement of the map accuracy demonstrates how geographical knowledge served to establish investment priorities. In addition, as a colonial pedagogie tool, maps illustrated the power of empires. In Europe, they helped metropolitan opinions familiarize themselves with the existing empires. Locally, maps played an important role in identifying the boundaries of submitted peoples, and linking them to specific territories. Ethnographic maps were crucial toolsfor confining and controlling ethnic groups. The desire to establish colonial power through a better knowledge of the lansdcape and its inhabitants was one ofthe central reasons behind the creation of colonial geographic departments.