Book reviews: Atlas of Australian resources, second series

Summary

This review assesses the second series of the Atlas of Australian Resources, launched in 1963 following the 1951–1960 edition. It examines the initial sheets on electricity, soils, population distribution and growth, and geology, focusing on revisions in scale, cartographic design, thematic detail, and technical presentation. By dividing Australia’s densely settled eastern, southeastern, and southwestern regions into maps at 1:4,500,000 while retaining a continental overview at 1:12,000,000, the new edition provides substantially greater clarity. Updated soil classifications, more comprehensive geological knowledge, refined thematic coverage, improved colour printing, supplementary maps, and explanatory commentaries demonstrate marked scientific and technical progress. The review concludes that the planned publication of three sheets annually should produce an increasingly complete and current national atlas documenting Australia’s economic development and advances in geographical knowledge.