A. de Ghellinck · 1946
This article presents the rationale, international context, organization, and planned contents of the Belgian National Atlas. Unlike conventional “dictionary atlases,” which primarily compile boundaries, relief, hydrography, settlements, and transport networks, a national atlas should offer a systematic and explanatory account of a country’s physical, human, and economic geography. It thus serves not only as a fundamental research tool for geographers, but also as a reliable source for public administration, infrastructure planning, agriculture, reconstruction, industry, and commerce, while promoting informed understanding of the country abroad. After reviewing precedents in Canada, Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy, the Soviet Union, France, Estonia, Switzerland, Denmark, and Britain, the article traces the Belgian project from the establishment of the Belgian National Committee of Geography through proposals formulated in 1932 and 1937, wartime interruption, and the creation of a dedicated Atlas Commission in 1946. This commission defines each map’s subject and treatment, recruits specialists, evaluates drafts, and submits final versions to the Committee for approval; individual authors retain immediate responsibility for signed maps. The projected folio atlas, largely mapped at 1:500,000, comprises forty-nine thematic plates covering cartography and geophysics, geology and morphology, climatology, hydrography, coastal and marine geography, biogeography, human geography, agriculture and forestry, industry, commerce, regional geography, and political geography. With multilingual national representation, technical production entrusted to the Military Geographical Institute, and state funding, the project is presented as a scientifically authoritative and practically valuable national undertaking, with initial plates expected in 1947.
O. Tulippe · 1950
This article introduces the Atlas of Belgium, a national geographical atlas planned before the Second World War and revived after the liberation by the Belgian National Committee of Geography. A dedicated commission coordinates map themes, selects specialists, evaluates drafts, determines production methods, and ensures visual consistency, while authors retain responsibility for individual maps. The atlas will comprise about fifty plates covering physical, human, economic, regional, and political geography. Most plates feature a 1:500,000 map with bilingual commentary, and technical production is entrusted to the Military Geographical Institute. Several plates have already appeared, with further geological and climatological maps nearing completion. Supported by the Ministry of Public Instruction, the project aims to publish six to eight plates annually, providing Belgium with a coherent, authoritative, and technically refined national cartographic reference.
Paul Fourmarier · 1954
The National Atlas of Belgium is a systematic and comprehensive exposition of the country's scientific geography. Unlike ordinary atlases that offer a synthetic representation of key facts, it provides an in-depth analysis of geographical phenomena, serving as an invaluable tool for geographers and professionals requiring knowledge of Belgium's physical, human, and economic environment. Initiated by the National Committee of Geography, the project underwent lengthy preparation and was planned to include 52 plates covering physical geography, biogeography, human geography, economic geography, regional geography, and administration, supplemented by explanatory notes and aerial photographs. Despite challenges such as reduced government funding, the project is over half complete thanks to collaborative efforts, and accompanying commentaries are underway, aiming to equip Belgium with the most modern geographical documentation.
