Brazil national atlas project: The theoretical conception

Summary

This paper presents the theoretical conception of the National Atlas of Brazil, developed by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The Brazilian reality is viewed as a constant social transformation process, emphasizing temporal and spatial dimensions. Six dialectical dimensions (e.g., present-past, form-process, continuity-discontinuity) are proposed as analytical framework. The Atlas focuses on profound changes after 1950, covering three interdependent systems: natural resources, spatial organization, and environmental changes. It is conceived as a research tool revealing basic lines of spatial differentiation through thematic treatment, rather than a mere inventory of information.