National Atlas of India: (Selected Maps)
India · Unknown · 1968
Related Reviews & Articles
Cartographical Survey: National Atlas of India (fascicule)
Anson, R. W. · 1978
This paper offers critical reviews of two significant cartographic and historical works. The first review assesses the 1977 fascicule of the *National Atlas of India*, prepared by the National Atlas Organisation. It traces the atlas’s evolution from a preliminary Hindi edition (1957) and a partial English version (1968) to the present expanded edition, which incorporates regional data from various Indian states. The review describes the physical format (loose-leaf, folded plates at scales of 1:1M, 1:2M, and 1:6M), the planned scope of at least 234 maps, and the thematic content covering physical geography, population, transport, and tourism. While acknowledging the ambitious nature of this national inventory, the reviewer identifies several weaknesses: inconsistent temporal baselines (reliance on 1951 census for large-scale maps versus 1961 data elsewhere), a production span of up to fifteen years for certain sections that undermines comparability, uneven print quality, and suboptimal organization of thematic plates. Despite these shortcomings, the work is praised as a fascinating and useful publication. The second review introduces a new assessment of William Roy, marking the 250th anniversary of his birth. It draws attention to a paper by Dr J. B. Harley published in the *Chartered Surveyor* (1978), which re-evaluates Roy’s role in the founding of the Ordnance Survey after two centuries. Together, the reviews highlight both the monumental challenges of compiling a comprehensive national atlas and the ongoing scholarly reappraisal of foundational figures in surveying.
Cartography: Atlases
Unknown · 1968
This paper presents the report of the International Geographical Union (IGU) Working Group on National Atlases, comprising members from the USSR, Australia, and Spain. Its primary objective is to formulate recommendations for the standardization and compilation of water resource maps in national and regional complex atlases. Following a preliminary programme presented in Paris in 1966, the research was conducted at the Geography Department of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR. Through a comprehensive analysis of over 100 atlases published worldwide, the Working Group recommends that an independent “Hydrology” section be incorporated, consisting of five essential maps: (1) surface water resources, (2) groundwater resources, (3) water use and water consumption, (4) present economic water balance, and (5) future economic water balance. These maps capture the most critical aspects of water resources and their utilization. Depending on a country’s specific conditions, supplementary maps may be added, while related thematic information such as precipitation, evaporation, runoff, and hydrogeological conditions can be placed in other atlas sections. Standard legends for the recommended maps have been developed based on materials from the mountainous areas of Armenia. The work underscores the value of international collaboration in establishing cartographic standards for integrated resource atlases.
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