The Atlas of Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom · Clarendon Press · 1963
Related Reviews & Articles
National Atlases: The National Atlas of the United States of America
R. A. Gardiner · 1971
This review examines the recently published National Atlas of the United States (1970) within the broader context of national atlas production. It recalls the 1939 British definition of a national atlas and traces subsequent developments, comparing the U.S. volume with the International Atlas (1969) and with loose-leaf national atlases such as those of Spain and Australia. The review discusses key design decisions: the use of 1:2,000,000 reference maps, the absence of relief on reference sheets, the inclusion of administrative boundaries, the choice of firm binding, and the very limited textual commentary. The author acknowledges the atlas’s exceptional thematic coverage—especially in economic, demographic, and socio-cultural maps—and its practical value for planners and researchers. However, he criticizes the fineness of some lines and lettering, the questionable inclusion of rapidly changing or highly specialized topics, and the tendency to use symbols rather than built-up-area depictions for urban regions. The article concludes that the National Atlas is a major achievement and an indispensable reference source, while arguing that the time is now opportune to create a National Atlas of the United Kingdom, given the establishment of the Department of the Environment and the completion of the 1971 census. The review thus combines an evaluative critique with a forward-looking argument for national atlas development.
Book Reviews: British Atlas
Norman J. G. Pounds · 1964
This is an academic review of the Atlas of Britain and Northern Ireland, published by Oxford University Press in 1963 at $100. The atlas presents a mid-20th-century cross-section of Britain through 200 pages of maps, covering physical geography (geology, relief, climate, soils) and human geography (population, agriculture, industry, transport). Most maps are at 1:2,000,000 scale, with some thematic maps at 1:1,000,000, based on extensive research by a team of experts. The presentation is ingenious, with notable examples like agricultural holdings and coal mine maps. The review notes that while not an official national atlas, it surpasses similar works in scope and precision, and holds historical value, though its detail makes it quickly dated. It concludes that for the next decade or two, it will be the standard reference on Britain's economic activity distribution.
Reviews: The Atlas of Britain and Northern Ireland
Unknown · 1963
This article consists of three book reviews. The first review praises a work on the history of British hydrographers, highlighting the contributions of such figures as Greenville Collins and Murdock Mackenzie, and commends the superb collection of reproduced original charts. The second and most extensive review examines the Atlas of Britain and Northern Ireland, describing its comprehensive coverage of physical, economic, and social data, its map arrangement, and cartographic techniques. The reviewer regards the atlas as an outstanding resource atlas, while acknowledging minor errors and discussing issues of information presentation and user adaptability, as well as the broader question of map use. The third review compares two introductory textbooks on photogrammetry, noting that both attempt to fill the gap for a comprehensive yet accessible text, but with different strengths: Crone's Elementary Photogrammetry offers rigorous theoretical definitions, while Kilford's Elementary Air Survey provides a practical overview. The reviewer concludes that no perfect textbook exists and recommends consulting both.
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