Cartographic development of the Atlas of Canada

Summary

This article reviews the cartographic development of the new National Atlas of Canada, initiated by the Canadian government in 1949 to replace the 1915 edition and to provide an integrated representation of the country’s physical, economic, and social characteristics. A governmental committee and specialized subcommittees coordinated the collection of information on agriculture, history, fisheries, climate, transportation, communications, natural resources, topography, hydrography, and related subjects. The Surveys and Mapping Branch then established standardized base maps, page dimensions, projections, papers, typography, and color treatments. Atlas maps were prepared principally at scales of 1:2,500,000, 1:5,000,000, 1:10,000,000, 1:20,000,000, and 1:50,000,000, using conformal Lambert and polyconic projections as appropriate. Base information was generalized by scale, while line weights and lettering were adjusted to ensure clear reproduction in neutral gray and light blue. Specialized relief and bathymetric maps required finer lines, separate name plates, and distinct engraving procedures. Because cartographic compilation and reproduction proceeded simultaneously, each sheet was managed as an individual production project. Photographic master negatives, transparent plastic overlays, proofs, and repeated geographical review supported correction and color separation. To reduce the number of press runs without sacrificing thematic clarity, the team developed screened combinations of eight principal inks, generating approximately 530 tones; the average number of printings per sheet was reduced to nine. Exact registration, multiple exposures, and press proofs ensured consistent results, although they increased production time. The project demonstrates how systematic scale design, projection selection, photomechanical techniques, and rationalized color planning enabled the accurate and economical production of a complex national atlas. It also served as substantial professional training, fostering new methods and broader problem-solving capabilities among Canadian cartographic personnel.