Geographical Reviews: Nuevo Atlas Nacional de México

Summary

This review evaluates the Nuevo Atlas Nacional de México, compiled by the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Produced over five years by 153 contributors, the atlas contains 726 maps and 353 graphics organized into five sections: general geography, history, society, economy, and nature and environment. Through examples covering historical settlement, demographic change, migration, agriculture, industry, transportation, tourism, and environmental hazards, the reviewer demonstrates the atlas’s exceptional thematic breadth and analytical sophistication. Its principal strength lies not only in mapping high-quality census and remote-sensing data, but also in combining variables to reveal regional inequalities and interactions between social and environmental processes. Precise cartographic documentation, innovative visualization, extensive bibliographies, and outstanding printing further distinguish the volume. The review concludes that the atlas is a monumental contribution to Mexican scholarship and recommends an online edition to broaden access beyond the limited print run.