Reviews of atlases and special maps: Preliminary atlas of Guatemala

Summary

This review examines the Preliminary Atlas of Guatemala, published in 1964 by the country’s General Directorate of Cartography, and highlights its value for geographical knowledge and development planning. At a scale of 1:1,500,000, the atlas maps political divisions, physical environments, soils, climate, geology, population patterns, and electricity infrastructure. It also outlines proposals for irrigation, transportation, administrative reorganization, urban development centers, telecommunications, air routes, and hospitals. A final synthetic map integrates agricultural improvement needs, planned infrastructure, and a proposed territorial division. The review concludes that the atlas provides a significant analytical and planning framework for identifying Guatemala’s principal social and economic development priorities.