刘岳 · 1996
This paper introduces the background, compilation process, main features, and international impact of the "National Economic Atlas of the People's Republic of China and Its Electronic Version." The project was led by the State Planning Commission, with the Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences as the chief editor, and was completed over six years, with the Chinese edition published in 1993 and the English edition in 1994. The atlas contains 265 maps and 250,000 characters of explanatory text, comprehensively reflecting China's resources, population, economy, agriculture, industry, transportation, and other sectors, characterized by scientific completeness, systematicity, and spatial analysis. The electronic version, developed based on EA-ward software, is user-friendly, content-rich, and reaches a world-leading level, receiving high praise from the international cartographic community. The atlas is not only a significant achievement in China's economic geography research but also provides valuable materials for the international community to understand China's economy.
廖克 · 2001
This paper elaborates on the importance of national atlases and the compilation history of the National Atlas of China, focusing on the characteristics and innovations in its compilation: ① A comprehensive compilation of China's natural, population, economic, social, and historical information; ② A systematic summary and synthesis of research achievements in China's geosciences, biology, environmental science, economics, and history; ③ The compilation of the national atlas adhered to the "sustainable development strategy," highlighting the relationship between humans and nature; ④ The compilation achieved a fundamental transformation from traditional techniques to fully digital and automated processes, with electronic atlases and internet map formats better meeting the demands of the information society. The completion of the National Atlas of China not only holds significant scientific value, practical applications, and social benefits but also comprehensively advances the development of contemporary Chinese cartography. As a major innovative achievement in China's scientific and technological community during the 20th century, this monumental atlas, embodying the wisdom of two to three generations of Chinese scientists and cartographic experts, is unprecedented in China's history and rare on a global scale. The National Atlas of China represents the highest level of current Chinese cartographic development, has exerted considerable international influence, and occupies an important position among national atlases worldwide. Its completion has made a historic and tremendous contribution to the development of Chinese cartography, truly serving as a milestone in the advancement of modern Chinese cartography.
Qingwen Qi · 2007
Qi presents the second edition of the National Atlases of China as an integrated series of independently edited general, physical, economic, agricultural, and historical volumes. He concentrates on the economic and physical atlases and their electronic manifestations, describing their data, thematic organization, digital production, visualization, querying, statistical analysis, animation, and three-dimensional displays. In the editor’s account, compiling these works advanced comprehensive and statistical mapping, computer-assisted cartography, multidimensional data models, and the integration of heterogeneous spatial data, while providing tools for research, education, planning, and decision-making.
