National atlases provide synthesised spatial knowledge of a particular country in the form of maps and textual descriptions. The three East African Countries gained independence at around the same time and most of their topographic mapping programmes were supported by the Directorate of Overseas Surveys (DOS). Similarly, the first editions of their national atlases were created and published around the same time. However, for various reasons, the national atlases have not been updated for quite some time. The same reasons advanced for the delayed revisions of the topographical are also applicable to the national atlases. The development of web mapping technology, Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and the Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) paradigms have changed how national atlases are prepared and used. SDI and VGI provide a great opportunity for the East African Countries to revive the National Atlas - although the SDI development in East African Countries remains low.
The recurring ethnically legitimized conflicts in Ethiopia have come to a dramatic head again since the end of 2020. This paper introduces an important source for the history of the contested nationalist politics of unity over the last 70 years, the National Atlas of Ethiopia, published in four editions between 1962 and 1987. So far, the National Atlas and the history of geography in Ethiopia have received little research attention, despite their crucial role in presenting the Ethiopian national project and state-led modernization abroad and the empirical appropriation of space for internal colonisation. Using the Atlas as well as geographic publications, the paper traces the genesis of the geographical institute and cartography, connecting it to the history of census and social survey as well as international development aid in Ethiopia.
Die wiederkehrenden, ethnisch legitimierten Konflikte in Äthiopien haben sich seit Endeder umstrittenen nationalistischen Einheitspolitik der letzten 70 Jahre vorgestellt, der Nationalatlas von Äthiopien, der zwischen 1962 und 1987 in vier Ausgaben erschienen ist. Bisher haben der Nationalatlas und die Geschichte der Geographie in Äthiopien nur wenig Aufmerksamkeit in der Forschung gefunden, obwohl sie eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Darstellung des äthiopischen Nationalprojekts und der staatlich gelenkten Modernisierung im Ausland sowie der empirischen Aneignung von Raum für die interne Kolonisierung spielen. Anhand des Atlas und geographischer Publikationen wird die Entstehung des Geographischen Instituts und der Kartographie nachgezeichnet und mit der Geschichte der Volkszählung und Sozialerhebung sowie der internationalen Entwicklungshilfe in Äthiopien verknüpft.
Die Ergebnisse zeigen, wie die Regierung sowohl in der kaiserlichen als auch in der sozialistischen Zeit versuchte, den äthiopischen Nationalstaat durch visuelle und wissenschaftliche Kommunikation zu konstituieren — entgegen den widersprüchlichen Vorstellungen darüber, wie das Land historisch gewachsen war.
By Rodriguez, José Manuel Mateo; Chaple, Maira Celeiro; Rodríguez, Pedro Acevedo; Mestre, Dayniel Hernández; Miranda, Alejandro Veranes·
The purpose of the present work is to set out the fundamental ideas underlying the preparation of the three maps that make up the Landscapes section of the National Atlas of Cuba LX Anniversary, published in 2019. The Landscapes theme is a subsection of the Nature section, presenting the following maps of Cuba: Anthroponatural Landscape, Cultural Landscape, and Geographical Regionalization, all at a scale of 1:1,000,000. Rather than the characteristics of the natural, economic, social, and cultural components, the authors aim to highlight the systemic interrelation within them, which manifests itself in specific spatial patterns, with features of individuality and uniqueness.
By Basulto, José Miguel Marrero; Machín, Jorge A. Luis; Alvarez, Orlando Novúa; Hernández, Silvio V. Rodríguez; Pérez, Saylí Tur·
This scientific note describes the development of the National Atlas of Cuba “LX Anniversary,” a digital geographic‑cartographic work designed as a “living atlas.” Led by the Institute of Tropical Geography (IGT) in collaboration with Geocuba I.C., CITMATEL, the University of Havana, and numerous other national entities, the atlas is the first of its kind produced entirely by Cuban institutions and specialists. Building on the heritage of the 1970, 1979, and 1989 atlases, the new atlas is structured into six thematic sections (General and Reference Maps, Nature, Population, Economy, Strategic Topics, and History). The project follows a six‑stage methodology: organizational design; creation of digital map prototypes using GIS (EPSG 4326); conversion of maps to HTML format via TileMill and Leaflet; assembly of the multimedia product; development of a web geoportal; and development of a mobile application (APK). Version 1.0 of the multimedia was released in 2019, containing 230 maps together with thematic texts, photographs, tables, and graphs. Version 1.1, currently being finalized, expands content and interactivity. The final platform will provide online services and mobile access, enabling systematic, rapid, and economical updates. The atlas synthesizes scientific results from national and international projects and serves as a tool for territorial planning, environmental management, education, and decision‑making. This initiative marks a pivotal shift in Cuban cartography from printed atlases to a dynamic, continuously updated digital framework, fostering accessibility and institutional integration.
This paper compiles a series of recent Cuban media reports covering cultural, scientific, and historical dimensions of the 61st anniversary of the Revolution. The purpose is to present a multifaceted overview of commemorative activities, a landmark cartographic publication, and historical reflections on revolutionary commitment. Methodologically, the text draws on official announcements, expert interviews, and archival newspaper excerpts to construct a coherent narrative of national celebration and progress. Key findings include the Ministry of Culture's organization of concerts, dances, and other artistic events to mark the anniversary and New Year; the presentation of the new National Atlas of Cuba LX Anniversary, a fully digital and genuinely Cuban product developed by over 300 specialists from 65 institutions under the guidance of the Institute of Tropical Geography; and the Atlas’s innovative inclusion of previously unrepresented themes such as rock art, protected areas, climate change, and demographic dynamics. Additionally, the paper revisits a historic moment in December 1959 when Fidel Castro signed the first agrarian reform land titles in Baracoa, symbolically reversing colonial dispossession, and when over forty prominent intellectuals signed a declaration pledging to join the revolutionary militias in defense of the nation. A practical notice on holiday newspaper distribution adjustments is also included. The conclusions underscore the integration of scientific innovation, cultural expression, and historical memory as pillars of Cuba’s national project, with the Atlas representing a milestone in Cuban cartography and a living document capable of continuous updating and eventual expansion to mobile applications, online services, and potential print editions for educational distribution.
The publication of the English edition of the National Atlas of Georgia, a collaboration between Georgian and German geographical institutes, marks a significant contribution to the internationalization of Georgian geographical knowledge. Originally published in Georgian in 2012, this comprehensive revision includes updated maps and expanded thematic content. This review examines the atlas’s structure, content coverage, and cartographic quality, highlighting its strengths and identifying areas for improvement. The atlas systematically presents Georgia’s physical environment, including tectonic setting, geology, geomorphology, climate, hydrology, soils, and vegetation, emphasizing the country’s remarkable natural diversity and landscape richness. Notable features include the Likhi (Surami) Range as a critical hydrographic and climatic divide, high levels of endemism in flora and fauna, and extensive maps on natural hazards exacerbated by human activity. The socio-economic section, though limited due to data scarcity, incorporates recent population census (2014) and 2016 estimates, revealing demographic decline during the post-Soviet transformation. Special attention is given to the cartographic treatment of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are included in physical maps but largely omitted from socio-economic ones, reflecting a major political challenge. While minor deficiencies exist—such as insufficient explanatory legends, missing reference periods for climate data, and some outdated agricultural maps—the atlas stands as an impressive editorial and cartographic achievement. Its English edition makes Georgia’s spatial diversity accessible to a global audience, fostering scientific cooperation. Despite the relatively small number of socio-economic maps, the publication serves as an invaluable introduction to Georgia, meriting recognition far beyond geography.
The “Atlas de Cuba” was published in 1949 by the Institute of
Geographical Exploration at Harvard University. This atlas is result of collaboration
between Erwin Raisz, the American cartographer born in Hungary and a Cuban
geographer and cartographer, Gerardo Canet. Using Canet’s words in the
Introduction, the atlas is “a living picture of Cuban Geography as far as possible in
64 pages”. A total of 34 themes were represented by maps and graphics, presenting
the history of the country, its physical geographical characteristics, the major
parameters to describe the society (standard of living, health, social composition,
government, etc.) and the national economy. The atlas is the rich combination of
maps with pictures, charts and text. The authors not only wanted to create an atlas
for scientists and specialists with the different topics represented in the maps: their
intention was to make all this information available and easily understandable for
the public in general. The atlas joined two peculiar cartographic styles: the delicacy
of the drawing ability of Erwin Raisz and Canet’s interest to represent the broader
spectrum of data collected by him, using all the graphic tools at their disposal to
make the atlas more attractive. This little masterpiece of the mid-twentieth century
constitutes a gem intentionally ignored by the current Cuban cartography.
The National Atlas of Afghanistan, edited by Andreas Dittmann, represents a bold scholarly undertaking given the country’s prolonged warfare, acute data scarcity, and sensitive ethno-linguistic divisions. This review evaluates the atlas’s ambitious compilation of regional information, its cartographic excellence, and its dual role as both a reference work and an instrument of nation-building. The atlas comprises 43 large-format maps organized into six thematic sections: natural conditions and resources (the largest), economy and agriculture, public and private services, culture and history, human dimensions, and city plans. Statistical data, largely spanning 2001–2009, are presented on a provincial basis alongside facing-page explanatory texts enriched with additional diagrams and historical comparisons. Noteworthy innovations include detailed maps on health infrastructure, educational provision, and urban expansion, as well as language maps that cautiously address ethnicity, though coverage of nomadic tribal distributions is minimal. The cartography is consistently praised for its clarity, colour choice, and legibility. Criticisms centre on uneven depth in some textual explanations and an underutilization of pre-war French and anthropological scholarship. Despite these minor shortcomings, the atlas is hailed as an indispensable source for planning, administration, education, and the fostering of Afghan national identity. Published through German-Afghan cooperation under the Stability Pact Afghanistan, it stands as both an academic milestone and a political document, affirming the intrinsic link between geographic knowledge and statehood.
This review evaluates the *National Atlas of Afghanistan* (2014), edited by Andreas Dittmann, as a landmark product of long-standing German–Afghan scientific cooperation. The atlas integrates thematic maps with explanatory texts, creating a comprehensive regional compendium. The review examines the work’s structure: physical geography (geology, soils, climate, hydrography, vegetation, ecoregions, and an extensive faunal distribution) precedes a larger socio-economic section. It highlights the cartographic challenges, especially the scarcity and unreliability of socio-economic data, exemplified by unrecorded informal trade and the need to derive agricultural information partly from satellite imagery. While acknowledging the diligent use of scattered sources and historical research traditions, the review notes limitations such as the absence of qualitative health and education assessments, neglect of historical dimensions, and some minor editorial flaws. Nevertheless, it commends the attractive computer-cartographic design. The review concludes that the atlas transcends a mere inventory of conditions; it represents a model of engaged international collaboration, a foundation for modern, spatially differentiated regional studies, and a vital instrument for fostering national consciousness, supporting state consolidation, and guiding development planning in Afghanistan. It strongly affirms the value of the invested resources and the exceptional dedication of the German and Afghan teams.
The National Atlas of China is widely recognized as a hallmark of a nation's scientific, technological, and cultural achievement. Its compilation was first conceived in the mid‑1950s and formally launched in 1958 under a national editorial board chaired by Zhu Kezhen. The original plan encompassed four volumes—general, physical, economic, and historical—and was later supplemented with an agricultural volume. After an interruption during the Cultural Revolution, the project was reinstated in 1981 by the State Council as a key national research initiative. Over the following two decades, the five atlases were completed and published in succession, representing a massive collaborative effort that involved more than 216 institutions and over 1,300 specialists. Together, these volumes comprehensively assemble data on China’s physical environment, population, economy, society, and history, thereby providing critical scientific foundations for macro-level planning, decision-making, and scholarly research. The atlas series has received multiple national science and technology awards and has been exhibited at international cartographic conferences and book fairs. Leading international cartographers have praised it as an exemplary model for other nations and an extraordinary contribution to understanding contemporary China. Beyond its own merits, the compilation process greatly stimulated the production of provincial atlases, accelerated the advancement of Chinese cartography, and cultivated a generation of mapping experts. The completion of the National Atlas of China is an unprecedented scientific and cultural undertaking both domestically and globally; it stands as the apex of modern Chinese cartography and a historic milestone in the field’s development.
The New Atlas of Israel — The National Atlas was published in English for the first time in 2011 by the Survey of Israel and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Atlas gives expression to geography of the region, reflecting its unique location. The New Atlas of Israel — the National Atlas, in its English edition, is based upon a translation of the Hebrew edition published in August 2009, which was in effect a new edition which updated and expanded upon the 1995 edition. The 1995 departed from the large format series of the traditional Atlas of Israel, which included scientific articles in addition to maps. The New Atlas of Israel was planned for geography pupils, using the most advanced methodologies and technologies, in a size that fits school bags. Hundreds of maps, and tens of diagrams were prepared for the 2011 atlas, using innovative methods that were published in blaze of colors, in order to allow readers and students to recognize the physical components of the landscape of Israel and the plethora of human, social, economic and settlement phenomena of the land of Israel. Special attention was given to the development of the human and settlement landscape in the last one hundred years. Here special emphasis has been placed on the layout of the population and the economy in Israel, in the most recent generations.
In 1949 was published the first National Atlas of Cuba (‘Atlas de Cuba’) in the Institute of Geographical Exploration at Harvard University. This atlas was edited by a Cuban geographer and cartographer, Gerardo Canet, counting with the valuable collaboration of Erwin Raisz, a Hungarian-born cartographer graduated at the Royal Polytechnicum of Budapest.
Using Canet’s words in the Introduction the atlas is “a living picture of Cuban Geography as far as possible in 64 pages”. A total of 34 themes were represented by maps and graphics, presenting the history of the country, its physical geographical characteristics, the more important parameters to describe the society (standard of living, health, social composition, government, etc) and the national economy.
A very special characteristic of this national atlas is the rich combination of maps with pictures, charts and text. Leafing through its pages we can see that the authors not only wanted to create an atlas for scientists and specialists in the different topics represented on the maps: their intention was to make all this information available and easily understandable for the public in general. The atlas can be considered the early multimedia result of joining two peculiar cartographic styles: the delicacy of the drawing ability of Erwin Raisz and Canet’s interest to represent the broader spectrum of data using all the graphic tools at their disposal to make the atlas more interesting and attractive. This little masterpiece constitutes an intentionally ignored gem of the Cuban cartography
This review analyzes the *Nuevo Atlas Nacional de México* (2007), a comprehensive cartographic and textual compendium edited by Atlántida Coll-Hurtado and produced by the Instituto de Geografía at UNAM. The review examines the atlas’s structure, coverage, and scholarly contributions across its five thematic sections—general reference, history, society, economy, and environment. The atlas integrates the work of over 150 specialists to present 726 maps, 353 tables and diagrams, and interpretive texts that juxtapose diverse datasets. The review highlights the atlas’s thorough treatment of Mexico’s territorial evolution, internal and international migration, regional inequalities in access to services and consumer goods, and the spatial restructuring of the economy under neoliberal policies and NAFTA. Special attention is given to the economy section, which documents agricultural decline, the hyperconcentration of manufacturing, the explosive growth of maquiladoras, and the dominance of the service and informal sectors. The environment section is praised for mapping soil degradation, water contamination, and aquifer depletion. The reviewer commends the atlas for making visible the connections between economic processes and social and environmental outcomes, though notes that stronger explicit linkages between the economy and environment sections would have been beneficial. Gaps, such as the omission of narcotics trafficking and voting patterns, are acknowledged. The review concludes that despite minor unevenness, the atlas is an extraordinarily useful, well-organized reference tool for researchers and students across many disciplines, offering a data-rich portrait of Mexico in the early twenty-first century and serving as a necessary addition to Latin American collections.
This review presents and evaluates the *Nuevo atlas nacional de México*, a monumental cartographic work produced by a team of 153 authors and collaborators led by Atlántida Coll-Hurtado and José María Casado Izquierdo. The purpose of the atlas is to provide a comprehensive, high-quality geographic portrait of Mexico through 726 maps and 353 graphics, drawing on data from over thirty national and international institutions, particularly the censuses of 2000 and the rich databases of the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. The work is organized into five principal sections—general, history, society, economy, and nature and environment—each introduced by texts explaining data sources, key patterns, and relevant bibliographies. The history section offers a detailed sequence of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and nineteenth-century maps, tracing exploration routes, epidemics, trade, and agrarian reform. The society section maps demographic dynamics, migration (including Mexico–U.S. flows and remittances), health, education, and regional development disparities. Economic maps cover agriculture, energy, industry, transportation, and commerce, revealing patterns such as the division between subsistence and technified farming zones, the spatial distribution of specific crops and industries, and the geography of foreign investment. The environmental section integrates climatic, geological, and biophysical data, including hazards and protected areas. The atlas demonstrates how careful combination of variables can interrelate processes and patterns, exemplified by maps of development levels and ecological protection. The review concludes that the atlas exhibits exceptional cartographic artistry, precision in color registration, and discreet documentation of authorship and scale. It stands as a landmark contribution to Mexican scholarship, and the author expresses the hope that an online version will make its riches accessible to a wider audience.
By Cedeño, Vianca; Franco, Aracelly; Ortega, Aracelis; Toral B., Jaime·
The “Tommy Guardia” National Geographic Institute could finish and publish the country Geographic Atlas, after having waited for 20 long years. The development and characteristic of the different works were mainly performed at the Applied Geography Department. This reference book, for research and collection, shows not only through its text but also through its maps the great geographic changes we have gone through in the latest years. This book is for students, researchers and public in general to quickly manipulate their geographic reality, and so they can be stimulated to understand it, use it and take care of it in order to wake up nationalist values in a globalized world.
This paper traces the century-long evolution of the Atlas of Canada from its first print edition in 1906 to its dynamic online sixth edition in 2006, examining how changing national needs and technological advances reshaped its purpose, design, and production. Drawing on historical records and cartographic analysis, the study reviews each edition’s content, scale, and format, using the western portion of a representative map to illustrate visual and structural transformations over time. The first (1906) and second (1915) editions provided small-scale thematic maps of physical, demographic, and economic geography for a young nation focused on settlement and resource development. Following World War II, the third edition (1957/1958) responded to demands for comprehensive geographical information for planning, while the fourth (1974) adopted a folio format and recognized the Atlas as both a planning tool and a reflection of national identity. The fifth edition (1978–1995) pioneered digital cartography, standardized base maps, and initiated a serial map publication from a 1:2,000,000 database. By the sixth edition (1999), the Atlas became an Internet-based interactive platform, transforming into a living database that integrates geospatial data and partnerships. The findings show a shift from static printed volumes to a flexible online service that enhances accessibility, interactivity, and collaboration. This evolution demonstrates how a national atlas can remain authoritative and relevant by embracing information technology, ultimately serving as both a national showcase and an educational resource in an information society.
This paper expounds the importance of national atlases and the compilation process of the National Atlas of China, focusing on the characteristics and innovations in the compilation of the National Atlas of China: ① A complete compilation of information on China's nature, population, economy, society, and history; ② A systematic summary and synthesis of research achievements in China's geosciences, biology, environmental science, economics, and history; ③ The compilation of the national atlas implements the "sustainable development strategy", highlighting the relationship between humans and nature; ④ The compilation of the national atlas has achieved a fundamental transformation from traditional techniques to full digitization and automation, with electronic atlas and internet map formats further meeting the needs of the information society. The completion of the National Atlas of China not only has significant scientific significance, application value, and social benefits, but also comprehensively promotes the development of contemporary cartography in China. The National Atlas of China, a major innovative achievement in China's scientific and technological community in the 20th century and a monumental atlas embodying the wisdom of two to three generations of Chinese scientists and cartographic experts, is unprecedented not only in China but also rare in the world. The National Atlas of China represents the highest level of contemporary cartographic development in China, has had a significant international impact, and holds an important position among national atlases of various countries. The completion of the National Atlas of China has made a historic and tremendous contribution to the development of Chinese cartography, and it is truly a milestone in the development of modern Chinese cartography.
The Atlas 2000, currently in preparation, represents the fifth edition of the esteemed Atlas of Israel, scheduled for publication in 2004—nine years after the fourth edition. This paper outlines the major innovations distinguishing the new edition along two primary axes: content and information sources. Regarding content, the Atlas 2000 integrates emerging national priorities that have gained prominence over the past decade. Two focal areas are highlighted: first, the implications of global climatic change for Israel, including regional warming, increased drought frequency, and consequential transformations in agriculture, water supply, and recreation, as well as potential geopolitical tensions over water resources; second, the impact of economic globalization, driven by advances in high-tech and bio-technology, which is reshaping the spatial distribution of industry, transportation networks, and socio-economic regional disparities. In terms of information sources, the editorial team now benefits from a sophisticated statistical database and a university GIS laboratory, enabling efficient, wide-ranging analyses and the testing of numerous thematic maps before final selection. High-resolution satellite imagery allows a complete redesign of physical maps, while the 1995 national census offers vast new possibilities for demographic mapping. The proliferation of GIS across public agencies, educational institutions, and infrastructure bodies has facilitated an expansion of the atlas to nearly double its predecessor’s size. The paper concludes that upon publication, Atlas 2000 is expected to profoundly influence the geography curriculum in the Israeli educational system, reflecting state-of-the-art cartography and geographic thought for the early 21st century.
The National Physical Atlas of China (NPAC), published in 1999, is a large-format comprehensive scientific reference atlas representing a landmark achievement in Chinese thematic cartography. This paper introduces the atlas’s compilation background, design philosophy, main innovations, and scientific significance. The NPAC systematically integrates century-long geo-science, biological, and environmental data—particularly those accumulated since the founding of the People’s Republic of China—and presents them through 540 maps, 115 charts and photos, and nearly 300,000 words of explanatory text, organized into five sections (preface maps, physical environment, natural resources, natural disasters, natural utilization and reservation) and 18 thematic groups. For the first time in China, a large comprehensive national atlas was produced entirely through digital computer-aided design, compilation, and automatic plate-making, marking a revolutionary shift from conventional cartography. The atlas embodies five key innovations: (1) spatial and temporal extension and updating of basic scientific data; (2) a strong focus on sustainable development, highlighting resources, disasters, and nature conservation; (3) extensive mapping of plant and animal distributions to reflect biodiversity; (4) inclusion of new topics from emerging disciplines to reveal environmental formation and evolution; and (5) a full digital workflow. Internationally, the NPAC is recognized as the first standalone national physical atlas in the world with such broad scientific scope and detailed coverage, earning acclaim from the International Cartographic Association as a model for other nations. The atlas provides a critical scientific basis for resource management, ecological protection, disaster mitigation, and sustainable development planning in China, and contributes foundational data to the construction of a digital Earth. Ongoing work aims to develop an electronic version with dynamic and three-dimensional visualization and analytical functions, further extending its societal benefits.
Abstract The “National Natural Atlas of China” (1999 edition) comprises 340 maps in eight series—general maps, natural environment (geology and geophysics, geomorphology, climate, hydrology, soil, biology, oceanography), natural resources, natural disasters, and the utilization and protection of nature—along with 300,000 words of notes to the maps. The atlas has the following characteristics and new creations:
1. Basic scientific data and figures were significantly extended and updated in both time and space, comprehensively presenting the scientific accumulations of geography and biology in China;
2. In implementing the strategy of sustainable development, it gives prominent attention to China’s natural resources, natural disasters, and the utilization and protection of nature, and stresses the relationship between human and nature;
3. It deepens scientific specialization—many maps on animals and plants well reflect biological diversity and in-depth research on it;
4. It fully reflects new progress and contributions in geographic scientific research in China, and expounds the evolutionary laws of the formation of the natural environment;
5. In design and compilation methods and technologies, it exhibits many innovations and breakthroughs, achieving a fundamental transformation from traditional techniques to computer-based design, compilation, and fully digital automatic plate making.
Key words National natural atlas; characteristics; innovation
This review evaluates the National Physical Atlas of China (1999), a monumental cartographic work compiled by over 300 specialists from nearly 40 Chinese institutions under the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and with Professor Liao Ke as editor‑in‑chief. The atlas comprises 540 maps on 225 pages, systematically structured into five sections: introductory maps, physical environment, natural resources, natural hazards, and nature utilization and conservation. The evaluation highlights the atlas’s interdisciplinary and encyclopedic character, designed to support environmental change studies, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. By integrating extensive field data with satellite remote sensing, the atlas offers innovative thematic coverage, including maps of heavy metal bioaccumulation in fish, potential net primary productivity under hypothetical climate‑change scenarios (precipitation ±10%, temperature +4°C), temporal distribution of earthquakes, and human diseases caused by selenium, iodine and fluorine deficiencies. Cartographically, the work successfully merges traditional drafting with computer‑aided multimedia and GIS techniques, achieving high scientific accuracy and aesthetic quality at a primary scale of 1:10 000 000. The review concludes that the National Physical Atlas of China is an unparalleled scientific reference, providing critical support for national security, education, and global environmental cooperation, and it stands as one of the finest national atlases published in recent decades.
This paper offers a commentary on the newly published National General Atlas of the People’s Republic of China, a monumental work compiled under the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. The review highlights the atlas’s innovation, comprehensive and well-organized content, and high-quality printing. It emphasizes the atlas’s utility for national and provincial leadership in understanding the geographic, topographic, and geomorphological distribution across China. Set against the backdrop of a market economy where maps increasingly serve economic development and daily life, the publication fulfills a long-standing proposal by the late cartographer Zeng Shiying, who pioneered scientific compilation of large-scale national atlases in China with his Shenbao Atlas in the 1930s. The author argues that the new atlas surpasses its predecessor, exemplifying progress in cartographic science. The paper then traces the evolution of mapmaking techniques from manual to automated processes, noting significant post-1949 advancements, the integration of computers, and the emergence of multimedia systems that combine text, graphics, animation, sound, and video to produce multifunctional effects. Looking forward, it concludes that atlas compilation is moving toward expert systems, and with continued scientific and economic development, fully automated map production in China is an imminent reality.
This paper celebrates the publication of the *National General Atlas of the People's Republic of China* (1995) as a landmark in Chinese cartography and a centennial cultural achievement. Adopting a theoretical perspective grounded in spatial cognition, it systematically examines the enduring and irreplaceable role of maps and atlases. The study articulates how maps facilitate spatial cognition by enabling the construction of holistic mental images, supporting visual estimation and comparability of distributions, revealing spatial correlations among phenomena, integrating statistical data with geographic space to form multi-dimensional concepts, and correcting erroneous environmental perceptions. Building upon these general functions, the atlas is shown to possess unique cognitive strengths: it provides a multidimensional worldview linking quantity and quality, space and time; its structured series of scales and thematic layers offers a “zoom” capability for exploring areas from global to local; and it serves as an essential textbook-like tool for raising spatial literacy. Addressing the challenge of the information age, the paper argues that the national atlas is not rendered obsolete by geographic information systems or electronic maps. Instead, it retains irreplaceable value as a solidified scientific synthesis and cultural sediment, as the most robust and device-independent means for spatial data visualization, and as a foundation for cultivating creative expertise in the digital cartographic industry. Tracing the atlas’s conception back to 1958 and its realization over three decades later, the paper concludes that this work, integrating scientific rigor, ideology, practicality, and artistry at an internationally advanced level, represents a historic contribution. It will profoundly serve national economic construction, national defense, scientific research, education, and international scholarly exchange.
This paper reviews the newly published *National General Atlas of the People’s Republic of China*, acclaiming it as a milestone in Chinese cartography. Published in 1995 as the inaugural volume of a planned national atlas series, the work originated from a key state scientific project initiated in 1958. The atlas is structured into three main sections: introductory maps, regional maps, and provincial maps, supplemented by enlarged maps of typical areas, city plans, and a comprehensive index of over 42,000 place names. The review highlights the atlas’s rigorous design, harmonious and readable color schemes, scientifically selected map projections, and exceptional information density. It commends the work’s distinct national character, aesthetic sophistication, and its capacity to convey the vastness and grandeur of China’s territory. While noting that some maps, especially city plans, cannot fully reflect recent developments due to the country’s rapid modernization, the author regards this as a natural limitation rather than a flaw. The atlas is hailed as a crowning achievement that elevates the theory and practice of atlas compilation in China and sets a new benchmark for future cartographic endeavors.
This paper commemorates the official publication of the *National General Atlas of the People's Republic of China* in 1995, a landmark achievement in Chinese cartography representing the culmination of decades of collective effort. Compiled under the guidance of senior experts including Zeng Shiying and editor-in-chief Yu Cang, and involving over one hundred cartographers from institutions like the Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, the atlas serves as a comprehensive, authoritative geographic reference. The purpose of the atlas is to systematically display China's geographical features—including topography, hydrography, settlements, transportation, administrative divisions, and land cover—to support national development, territorial planning, and geoscientific research. Methodologically, the compilation leveraged the latest 1:1,000,000 topographic maps, satellite imagery, and verified geographical name databases to ensure reliability, precision, and updated content extending to 1991. The atlas is praised for its systematic structure, integrating national thematic maps, regional overviews, provincial maps, typical area enlargements, and urban land-use maps, including innovative sea-area charts that break the traditional land-centric focus. Key innovations in cartographic design include the use of combined hypsometric tinting principles across China's three topographic tiers, the application of colored hill shading for regional maps, and a unique violet hue scheme for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, enhancing the representation of complex terrain. The conclusion affirms that this rigorously compiled, scientifically innovative atlas achieves international advanced standards, expertly balancing scientific accuracy, practical utility, and artistic quality. It is positioned as an indispensable tool for spatial cognition, economic construction, national defense, and international academic exchange, elevating China's cartographic discipline to a new level of excellence.
The continent of Africa has a long history of atlas production at both regional and national levels. The countries of East Africa are no exception to this, hence the history of atlas production in Tanzania can be mirrored in many other countries across the African continent.
The first part of this paper will review the history of atlas publication in Africa and Tanzania, making special reference to the source data and base maps; atlas contents, formats and scales; and the cartographic production methods adopted for atlases of Tanzania. Six separate editions of a “national” atlas of Tanzania have been published to date, one of German East Africa, three of Tanganyika and two for the Republic of Tanzania. In addition there have been numerous general, specialist/thematic and school atlases published by educational establishments and commercial companies for both East Africa and Tanzania.
Atlas production can be a time consuming and costly process requiring a large collaborative effort by several organisations and many individuals with scientific and cultural expertise in both physical and human geography and in the field of mapping and topographic science for the map production process. The second part of this paper will discuss the impact of current digital mapping technology on national and commercial atlas production, with a view to (i) the revision or production of a new edition of a national Atlas of Tanzania, (ii) the production of a demographic atlas and (iii) the creation of a small scale cartographic data base. A series of completed sample atlas sheets of Tanzania, created by digital mapping methods and utilising desktop publishing technology, will be cited in this part of the paper. The discussion will concentrate on a comparison of analogue and digital atlas production methods and consider their role in the future of atlas publication in Tanzania and Africa.
The *National Economic Atlas of the People's Republic of China* and its electronic edition represent a major national scientific reference project, jointly led by the State Planning Commission and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with the Institute of Geography as chief editor. Launched in 1987 and published in Chinese (1993) and English (1994), the atlas contains 10 thematic sections, 265 maps, and 250,000 words of explanatory text, comprehensively covering resources, population, overall economy, agriculture, industry, transportation, construction, urban development, environmental protection, commerce, foreign trade, tourism, finance, education, science, culture, health, and provincial economies. The compilation method combines high-level synthesis with in-depth analysis, employing innovative indicator classification, grading systems, and multi-level cartographic units to systematically depict China's independent national economic and industrial system—its scale, structure, spatial patterns, regional disparities, and the decisive roles of resources and population. An expert appraisal committee certified the atlas as having attained internationally advanced standards. Professor D.R.F. Taylor, then ICA President, described it as one of the most comprehensive and detailed economic atlases ever produced and an outstanding contribution to understanding China's socio‑economic development. The electronic version, developed on the self‑developed EA‑World platform with the latest data, offers strong visualization, ease of operation, and robust comparative analysis, and was acclaimed as a world‑leading electronic atlas masterpiece and “a pearl of China’s information industry.” The atlas has become an authoritative tool for macro‑decision‑making, academic research, and international investment, exerting a profound and lasting impact.
This review evaluates the newly published *Economic Atlas of China*, a landmark cartographic work that presents the most comprehensive English-language summary of China's complex economic geography to date. The atlas, part of a revived National Atlas project, features 265 full-color maps organized into ten thematic sections—including resources, population, agriculture, industry, transportation, and provincial economic profiles—with data often resolved at the county level. Over 500 distinct variables are mapped, drawing on compilations by more than twenty ministries and key statistical agencies. The review praises the atlas’s superb cartography and high production standards, noting its value as both a reference volume and a source of research inspiration. While the coverage is vast, several omissions are highlighted, such as the absence of per capita income maps and inconsistent provision of data sources, which could limit secondary analyses. Certain maps would also benefit from standardization or relative measures rather than absolute counts. The four accompanying handbooks, though prone to separation from the oversized volume, offer expanded definitions and regional economic sketches that enhance interpretability. Despite these minor shortcomings, the atlas is deemed an indispensable resource for any research library. It not only consolidates an immense amount of economic information but also visually stimulates important geographic questions about regional inequality, development dynamics, and the spatial patterns of contemporary China. Ultimately, the reviewer concludes that the atlas masterfully blends scholarly utility with artistic excellence, setting a benchmark for national economic atlases worldwide.
This review evaluates *The National Economic Atlas of China*, a landmark volume in China’s National Atlas Series published in both Chinese and English. The purpose is to assess the atlas’s structure, data foundation, cartographic methods, and overall scholarly value for understanding China’s restructuring economy during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The review systematically examines the atlas’s 265 maps, which include national maps at scales of 1:9 million to 1:20 million, regional maps of provinces, and supplementary explanatory notebooks. It highlights the atlas’s compilation from extensive official data—over 100 million bytes—integrating the 1985–1989 Industrial Census and the 1982 and 1990 Population Censuses, and employing GIS techniques for data processing and interactive computer-assisted cartography. Key findings underscore the atlas’s remarkable spatial coverage of China’s industrial, agricultural, transportation, commercial, and demographic patterns, with 84 industry maps forming the core. The review notes that the maps offer an unparalleled cartographic portrayal of China’s economic geography, although some multivariate representations are dense and challenging to interpret, and quality control issues appear on an introductory map. Minor gaps include incomplete mapping of sparsely populated western regions and the absence of post-1990 data. Overall, the atlas is judged as a masterly synthesis of accurate and comprehensive economic spatial information, making it an indispensable reference for sinologists, geographers, and policy researchers. The review concludes that, despite minor flaws, the atlas stands as a standard cartographic resource on socialist China’s reform-era economy, commendable for its scholarly rigor and cartographic craftsmanship.
This paper presents the cartographic production of the *Atlas of Togo*, a large-scale comprehensive national development atlas commissioned by UNESCO and comprising 88 maps and 91 text descriptions across 17 thematic categories. Because the original manuscripts supplied by ITC contained numerous deficiencies—incomplete design, missing legends, uneven linework, and uncorrected errors—the Chinese printing team undertook supplementary compilation and full redrafting of all sheets to guarantee quality. Editorial refinements were made to enhance scientific rigor and aesthetic appeal, including border adjustments, consistent reuse of three-version base maps, and deliberate placement of titles and legends while optimizing layouts for four‑color printing. In prepress, a domestic CPW computer typesetting system replaced manual phototypesetting for text annotation, and a CP‑341 electronic color scanner was used to generate halftone films with specified dot percentages and screen angles. Yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks were overprinted with controlled gradations, and dot patterns were flexibly employed as supplementary design elements to reduce masking steps and improve efficiency. The complete atlas was finished within six months. UNESCO experts evaluated the redrafting quality, plate‑making, and binding as excellent, describing the final product as rich in content, vivid in color, clearly layered, and dignified in appearance, reaching first‑class international quality. This project demonstrates that by fully exploiting existing equipment and adopting innovative reproduction techniques, high‑quality atlas production can be achieved even with deficient source materials, thereby enhancing the international reputation of national cartographic printing.
This review essay examines six national atlases of Latin America produced between 1985 and 1992: those of Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia. Its purpose is to evaluate their cartographic quality, thematic coverage, and scholarly value using comparative content analysis. The atlases vary notably in design and depth. Mexico’s three-volume loose-leaf atlas offers exceptional thematic breadth and innovative layout but lacks an index. Cuba’s monumental volume excels in high-quality cartography and detailed treatment of the physical environment. Colombia’s fourth edition concentrates heavily on reference mapping, often at the expense of thematic richness, while Peru’s atlas integrates extensive textual commentary with department-level satellite images. Panama’s atlas achieves a balanced mix of maps and interpretative text, while Bolivia’s version, though visually appealing, omits critical economic geography and fails to provide a geographical index or full bibliography. All volumes contain a wealth of original, primary-source-based information on physical, historical, social, and economic conditions. The review concludes that, despite their individual shortcomings, these atlases are indispensable reference works for any academic library supporting Latin American studies, serving as enduring resources for interdisciplinary research.
The New Atlas of Israel, published in 1995 as the fourth edition, represents a deliberate transformation from a research-oriented academic publication to a user-friendly educational tool for the general public and schools. This paper outlines the editorial policy and cartographic principles that guided the revision. The primary objective was to enhance clarity and legibility by aligning map design with the cognitive capacities of students and lay readers. Methodologically, this involved strict topic selection, reducing comprehensive map series to representative samples (e.g., from 44 rainfall maps to two extremes). Maps were simplified via generalization, focusing on major features while omitting minor details. Presentation was streamlined: each map handled a single subject, and consistent projections, scales, and formats were applied across related themes to facilitate comparative analysis. Color palettes and symbols were chosen for easy differentiation well above visual thresholds, and legends were restructured into intuitive groups. The result is an atlas that sacrifices some scholarly comprehensiveness and refinement for improved legibility and educational utility. The New Atlas of Israel thus successfully popularizes the national atlas concept, making geographic information accessible and relevant to broader societal needs. This edition also anticipated future developments, positioning itself as a necessary precursor to an electronic atlas.
This review evaluates the new "Atlas del Perú," a state-sponsored encyclopedic national atlas directed by Carlos Peñaherrera del Aguila and produced under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and the Instituto Geográfico Nacional. It substantially updates the previous 1963–70 atlas. The work integrates extensive textual exposition with a wide array of multi-scale maps, tables, photographs, and Landsat/Spot satellite imagery. Organized from introductory astronomy and cartography through historical, political, and physical landscapes to economic and population themes, the volume concludes with departmental maps and a substantial 100-page supplementary text section. The atlas is distinguished by its remarkable thematic breadth: beyond standard physical and socioeconomic topics, it includes notable maps on poverty indicators, pathology and health, desertification and reforestation, old maps and engravings, and Peru's Antarctic presence. The detailed text, statistical tables, and comprehensive place-name index greatly enhance its utility. Nevertheless, the review identifies organizational weaknesses: satellite images are interspersed with prefatory material before the table of contents, climatic discussions interrupt geological sequences, and thematically linked topics such as urban development, migration, and spontaneous settlements are scattered, while related educational and literacy data appear in isolated sections. A closer integration of the lengthy closing text with the corresponding maps and images in the earlier part would improve coherence. Despite these structural shortcomings, the atlas constitutes a major contribution to Peruvian studies, offering a rich compendium of high-quality cartographic, visual, and descriptive information essential for understanding the country.
This paper presents the compilation of the *National Economic Atlas of China* and establishes an imagery transformation model for map compilation. The atlas integrates large-scale, high-quality data from the 1985–1986 Industrial Census and the Fourth Population Census, using over 500 socio-economic variables and 265 maps with counties and cities as the basic geographical units. It systematically reveals China’s socio-economic spatial patterns, highlighting striking regional disparities and the eastward shift of the economic center of gravity. Rigorous data quality assessments demonstrate extremely low error rates, with overall industrial census errors at 0.102% and only 0.06% net undercount in the population census. To raise the map compilation process to a theoretical level of imagery processing, a model of four sequential imagery transformations is proposed: from basic source materials to photographic negatives, from negatives to blueprints, from blueprints to compilation bases, and from compilation bases to final compilation originals. This model abstracts traditional cartographic procedures into an imagery processing framework, facilitating computer-aided interactive editing and large-database management. The atlas is recognized as a monumental achievement, both as a comprehensive cartographic portrait of the world’s most populous country and as a significant contribution to understanding contemporary socio-economic transformations. The imagery transformation model further provides a theoretical basis for advancing computer-assisted cartography.
This review examines the first volume of the three-volume *Atlas Nacional de México* (1990), a monumental cartographic work praised for its artistic craftsmanship and scholarly depth. The evaluation focuses on volume I, which comprises 46 unbound double-page plates containing 246 maps and graphics on general mapping, historical cartography, and society. Map scales range from 1:4 million to 1:35 million; each plate includes bilingual English/French title and legend translations and full source citations. The review highlights the extensive historical section, with 70 maps depicting pre-Spanish settlement, colonial economy, rebellions, wars, and administrative boundary changes since 1521, as well as substantial demographic and social analyses based largely on the 1980 census. Key strengths are the rich visual portrayal of spatial differentiation in population, migration, urban systems, education, culture, and housing. Methodologically, the reviewer notes some weaknesses: a potentially confusing combination of rural density color tones with urban dot symbols, preference for absolute numbers where relative values would be clearer, and the incorrect labeling of “fecundidad” (fertility) instead of “natalidad” (birth rate) on a demographic transition map. The migration map’s definition of migrants only by state border crossing, ignoring intra-state moves, and misleading translation terms are also critiqued. Despite these minor flaws, the atlas successfully illustrates regional disparities between north and south, center and periphery, and offers a valuable, detailed instrument for understanding Mexico’s spatial development. The review concludes with strong commendation for the editors and the Institute of Geography.
The National Atlas of Mexico, produced by the Institute of Geography at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), is the most comprehensive geographic work of the country in this century. Compiled over five years by an interdisciplinary team of 300 researchers from 15 UNAM departments, six government agencies (including INEGI and CONACYT), and foreign advisors, the atlas contains 600 maps across three volumes. Thematic coverage spans history, society, nature and environment, economy, and international relations. Volume I presents general maps, historical events, and social indicators such as education, health, and migration. Volume II addresses physical geography, climate, oceanography, biodiversity (with novel maps of reptiles, butterflies, and mammals), and environmental quality. Volume III focuses on economic activities, transport, infrastructure, and foreign trade. Internationally acclaimed as the finest national atlas for its breadth and cartographic quality, it is regarded as a work of art and was printed entirely in Mexico for the first time at European standards. A major outcome is the creation of a geographic and statistical data bank that enables detailed analyses down to the municipal level. The atlas serves as a critical decision-support tool for agriculture, urban planning, environmental protection, and resource management, fostering interdisciplinary research and evidence-based policy.
This review essay examines two major recent contributions to geographic scholarship. The first work signals the emergence of a Saudi school of geographers, well versed in social science research methods. Despite the uneven quality of its chapters, it defines future research themes essential for understanding a unique space shaped by the interaction between an exceptionally hostile natural environment and an extraordinary determination to develop the territory, supported by exceptional financial resources. The goal is to provide inhabitants with a quality of life comparable to that of large cities. The second work is the new National Atlas of Cuba (1989), an imposing volume directed by Gladstone Oliva Gutiérrez. Comprising over 200 large-format pages with 627 maps at various scales, 61 color photographs, and more than 700 diagrams, profiles, and graphs, it offers a detailed panorama of Cuban geography. Its 24 sections cover reference maps, natural conditions (geophysics, geology, relief, karst, climate, water resources, seas, soils, flora, fauna, and landscapes), human and economic aspects (population, resources, socio-cultural facilities, agriculture, sugar economy, industry, transport, regionalization, and environment), as well as a final section on history and revolution. The atlas represents a substantial improvement over the 1970 edition and stands as an essential document for anyone seeking cartographic and scientific reference on Cuba. Together, these works illustrate distinct but complementary approaches to national spatial representation and geographical analysis.
This report announces the forthcoming publication of three major cartographic and geographical reference works by China Cartographic Publishing House in 1990. The first, the *National Agricultural Atlas of the People’s Republic of China*, is the initial volume of a long-planned national atlas series that was first included among national key research projects in 1956, suspended, and resumed in 1981; the complete series will eventually comprise five thematic volumes. Edited by the renowned geographer and academician Zhou Lisan, the agricultural atlas contains 300 maps that systematically depict agricultural production conditions, distribution patterns, and scientific achievements since 1949. It serves as a crucial basis for agricultural master planning, resource development and protection, and scientific research. The second work, the *Atlas of the Yellow River Basin*, compiled by the Yellow River Conservancy Commission, employs 92 double-page maps, 260,000 words of explanatory text, and more than 100 photographs, all using the latest observations and scientific findings to illustrate the river’s history, environment, and its harnessing and development. It is reported to be the most extensive and detailed river basin atlas in the world and an indispensable resource for further management of the Yellow River. The third publication, the *Gazetteer of Place Names of the United Kingdom*, is designed to meet the needs of geographers, international studies researchers, and editors. Based on the British national atlas and UK gazetteers and updated to the end of 1989, it compiles approximately 20,000 place names, covering settlements, historic sites, rivers, mountains, lakes, and bays. Special attention is given to historically significant names (e.g., Hadrian’s Wall, Woburn Abbey, Stratford-upon-Avon, Loch Ness) and to transliteration accuracy: English names follow the BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names and Daniel Jones’s *English Pronouncing Dictionary* while respecting conventional usage, while Celtic-derived names (Welsh, Gaelic, Irish, etc.) are transcribed according to the pronunciation rules of their respective languages. Entries are arranged in Roman alphabetical order and supplemented with a Chinese stroke-order index, six appendices, and two colour maps. Together, these three works provide foundational cartographic and toponymic datasets for national situational awareness, river basin management, and international scholarly exchange.
This paper surveys and critically reviews the major atlases published in Israel during the decade 1980–1989. It identifies key cartographic works encompassing national, regional, urban, and historical themes. The third edition of the Atlas of Israel (1985) stands out as a comprehensive national atlas, updating physical and human geography with data from the 1983 census, featuring bilingual Hebrew-English content, and contributions from some sixty experts. Notable regional atlases include the Atlas of Haifa and Mount Carmel (1980), which examines the urban geography of Israel's third-largest conurbation and its physical setting, with particular emphasis on land use and dual central business districts, and the Atlas of the Negev (1986), which analyses settlement patterns and resource development in the semi-arid southern district. The review also highlights a proliferation of historical atlases dedicated to Jerusalem, from collections of antique maps to archaeological surveys of the city’s spatial evolution. Additional general and educational atlases, as well as serial cartographic papers, demonstrate the breadth of Israeli cartographic output during this period. The paper concludes that the 1980s represented a productive era for atlas publishing in Israel, marked by advanced thematic mapping, bilingual presentation, and a strong interdisciplinary integration of geography, history, and planning.
This paper presents and assesses a comprehensive atlas of Libya that contextualizes the country within the Muslim, Arab, and African spheres and traces its historical geography. The atlas employs a multi-scalar cartographic approach: thematic maps of geology, pedology, vegetation, and population are typically rendered at scales between 1:5,000,000 and 1:18,000,000, the latter used for climatic data. More detailed large-scale maps are devoted to soil suitability, agricultural development projects, urban planning, and particularly evocative maps of hydrocarbon concession zones. Historical coverage is richer for the medieval period than for the colonial era. The review finds the atlas to be a clear, convenient, and authoritative reference, offering the most rigorous available introduction to modern Libya. An entirely Arabic edition further enhances its accessibility and scholarly value. Minor cartographic omissions—notably a lacunose map of airfields in the south—are noted but are deemed neither unusual nor uniquely Libyan. These gaps do not detract from the atlas’s overall excellence as a foundational resource for researchers, planners, and students seeking a serious understanding of Libya’s physical and human landscapes.
By Oliva, Gladstone; Sánchez, Elia A.; Díaz, Luis R.; Propín, Enrique; Díaz, Jorge L.; Hernández, José R.·
The New National Atlas of Cuba represents a major advance in the geography and cartography of Cuba. The country's own socioeconomic development rendered the first National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970, obsolete. Consequently, in 1983 the process of creating a new edition began. With the work and participation of almost 150 institutions and 1,500 specialists, and under the direction of the Institute of Geography of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, the new edition was published in January 1989. The atlas consists of 210 map sheets and text divided into 18 thematic sections. The atlas format measures 59 X 52 cm and presents the entire country at cartographic scales between 1:1,000,000 and 1:4,000,000. The fruits of the atlas are already appreciated not only in its practical usefulness, but also in the Geographic Information System (GIS-Cuba) and in other new works arising from this experience.
By Барыкина, В. В.; Бердников, В. В.; Логинова, Л. В.; Лютый, А. А.; Царских, Р. С.; Финько, Е. А.·
The New National Atlas of Cuba, released on the thirtieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, represents a major scientific achievement in geography and cartography. Developed under the leadership of the Institute of Geography of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, it involved over 100 national institutions and specialists from the USSR, the GDR, and Mexico. The atlas serves as a comprehensive geographical encyclopedia, spanning 24 sections with 627 maps, 665 graphic elements, and 61 color photographs across 226 large-format pages. It provides an integrated portrayal of Cuba’s natural environment, resources, socio-economic structure, and cultural development. Physical geography sections cover geology, relief, climate, water and marine resources, soils, vegetation, fauna, and landscapes, featuring innovative maps on anthropogenic landscape changes and geochemical properties. Socio-economic themes include population and settlements, social infrastructure, agriculture, the sugar industry, manufacturing, construction, transport, communications, and foreign trade. The atlas also includes pioneering sections on the environment and revolutionary history, presenting environmental impact assessments and protected areas. By combining detailed thematic mapping at multiple scales with high cartographic design, the work offers a holistic view of Cuba’s territory and its dynamic transformations, serving as both an essential scientific reference and a testament to international collaboration in geographic research.
By Zlotin, R. I.; Zonn, S. V.; Liliyenberg, D. A.; Mashbits, Ya. G.; Fadeyev, A. I.; Chichagov, V. P.·
This article summarizes the experience gained from collaboration between the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences and geographers and cartographers of Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam in the creation of national atlases for these countries. The scientific concepts embodied in the atlases are analyzed, as well as the interrelationships and scope of topics, the combination of scientific and practical directions, and characteristics of their organization. Translated from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1988, No. 3, pp. 31-38 by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005.
By Nimer, Edmon; O'Neill, Maria Mônica Vieira Caetano; Corrêa, Roberto Lobato·
This paper presents the theoretical conception underpinning the National Atlas of Brazil, a project developed by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The Atlas is conceived as a dynamic cartographic resource aimed at researchers, planners, educators, and the public, offering multiple interpretations of Brazilian spatial reality. Its central object of analysis is the nation's constantly transforming social and environmental fabric, viewed fundamentally as a product of societal production and reproduction, class relations, and the development of productive forces. The framework integrates six interconnected analytical dimensions: present–past, form–process, continuity–discontinuity, quality–quantity, reiteration–differentiation, and description–interpretation, all expressed across various cartographic scales. Three interrelated categories structure the content: natural resources, understood as socially perceived and dynamically utilized elements; spatial organization, the material crystallization of social labor; and environmental changes, seen as impacts and imbalances arising from socio-economic processes. The temporal reference marks are the 1950s (post-war transformation baseline), 1960, 1970, and 1980–85 as the present, capturing spatial reorganization and environmental shifts. By adopting a guiding conceptual thread that privileges the interplay of form and process, the Atlas moves beyond a mere inventory of phenomena, treating universal themes through a singular, theoretically informed lens. This approach ensures that the final cartographic product coherently reveals the reiterative and differentiating patterns of Brazil's spatial and environmental dynamics.
By Злотин, Р. И.; Зонн, С. В.; Лилиенберг, Д. А.; Машбиц, Я. Г.; Фадеев, А. И.; Чичагов, В. П.·
This paper generalizes the quarter-century experience of the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences in the scientific development of national atlases in collaboration with Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam. The research aims to analyze methodological principles, thematic structures, and practical outcomes of creating these fundamental complex cartographic works for countries with varying levels of territorial knowledge. Methods include formulating flexible scientific concepts, coordinating interdisciplinary teams, conducting field surveys, performing scientific editing, and training national personnel. The national atlases of Cuba (1970, and a new edition in the late 1980s), Mongolia (1989), and Vietnam (late 1980s) are examined as holistic models that integrate physical, social, economic, historical, and cultural dimensions of a nation-state. Key findings show that such atlases can be successfully compiled even with incomplete or uneven geographic data, employing flexible thematic structures, scale series, and sometimes alternative syntheses or contradictory maps. Comparable analyses of map sets (e.g., geomorphology, hydrology, industry) reveal both common typological features and substantial thematic differences driven by national specificity. The atlases serve as powerful tools for resource inventory, territorial planning, scientific synthesis, and capacity building. The paper concludes that a flexible, integrative approach is essential, and that this model of international cooperation offers a valuable framework for advancing geography and cartography in less-studied countries.
By Багдасарян, А. Б.; Багдасарян, А. А.; Трифонова, Т. А.·
The Armenian SSR National Atlas, first published in 1961, provided a fundamental cartographic synthesis of the republic's natural and socioeconomic conditions. This paper outlines the program for a second‑generation national atlas (Volume 1: Natural Conditions, to be completed by 1990) developed in response to accelerating scientific and technological progress and the urgent need for ecologically sustainable natural resource management. The study compares the structure and content of the new atlas with its predecessor, drawing on the methodological guidelines of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on National Atlases.
The new atlas program significantly expands thematic coverage. While the 1961 edition contained approximately 150–170 maps, the planned volume increases the number of maps several‑fold. For example, climatic maps will grow from 20 to 60, hydrological from 7 to 23, geological from 8 to 15, and geomorphological from 1 to 19. Entirely new sections are introduced, including geophysical conditions, resource assessment, medical geography, engineering‑ecological evaluation, phenology, and maps of surface‑water pollution and nature conservation. Complex interrelational maps are emphasized, such as those linking relief energy, hydroclimatic altitudinal zonality, and soil‑vegetation structures in mountainous terrain. The program also integrates remote sensing methods to capture seasonal dynamics of geosystems and anthropogenic impacts.
The atlas will use a principal scale of 1:1,000,000, incorporate explanatory texts and color photographs, and ensure cartographic comparability and complementarity. By providing comprehensive, scientifically rigorous information, the new atlas is designed to support rational nature use, environmental optimization, and geographical forecasting, serving both scientific research and practical planning for regional development.
This review examines the fourth volume of a series on French overseas departments, the *Atlas de la Guyane*, which stands out from its predecessors due to its co‑production by CEGET and ORSTOM and its focus on a territory that, despite being twenty times the size of an average metropolitan department, remains an economic and demographic anomaly. French Guiana is portrayed as a perennial failure: sparsely populated, lacking any autonomous economic base, and sustained almost entirely by public transfers. The atlas, described as a true encyclopedia of the region, systematically documents the causes and manifestations of this underdevelopment across geographical, historical, and social dimensions. The review highlights the semi‑official nature of the publication, which may preclude fully probing sensitive questions—such as the role of a missing local entrepreneurial class or the legacy of slavery—but nonetheless acknowledges the atlas’s remarkable scholarly achievement. Contributions from specialists in geography, history, and anthropology, notably the analysis of French Guianese Creole identity, are singled out for praise. Minor criticisms include the ambiguous official name of the entity (“Guyane” vs. “Guyane française”), the omission of the recent border agreement with Surinam that extended the department’s territory, and the absence of the country’s highest point (Mont Bellevue de l’Inini) on the relief map. The review concludes that, despite these details, the atlas is a magnificent testament to French geographical and historical scholarship on a small but enigmatic corner of the world, and it anticipates future editions that will address current development hopes and their outcomes.
This paper presents a critical review and dissemination of the Atlas of the Brazilian Northeast, a cartographic work originally published in 1985 under a joint agreement between IBGE and SUDENE. Despite its age, the atlas retains high cartographic significance as a comprehensive repository of geographic information on the Northeast region. It is not strictly a school atlas but serves both elementary and advanced levels through analytical and synthetic map documents complemented by explanatory texts. The volume measures 40.5 × 55 cm, contains 103 pages—53 of them dedicated to high-quality color maps at scales of 1:4,000,000 or 1:8,000,000—and includes black-and-white maps, tables, and graphs. A minor methodological shortcoming is identified: inconsistency in class-interval notation, a common cartographic flaw in Brazil, though many maps show awareness of the issue by using precise boundary notation. The atlas is organized into fifteen thematic sections: General References, Geology and Relief, Climate, Renewable Resources, Population, Primary Activities, Industry, Energy and Transport, Trade and Finance, Health, Education, Housing Conditions, Tourism, Living Standards, and Urban and Regional Organization. Each section offers detailed spatial analyses of demographic, economic, environmental, and social indicators. The review concludes that, despite its minor technical imperfection, the atlas constitutes an indispensable cartographic collection for teachers, students, researchers, and planners, providing a broad and integrated overview of the characteristics and challenges of Northeast Brazil.
This review assesses the Atlas d'Haïti published by CEGET, an ambitious national atlas produced primarily by a French team given Haiti's resource constraints. The atlas is praised for its exhaustive compilation of data, high cartographic quality, and detailed explanatory notes, positioning it as an indispensable long-term reference. However, the review argues that the work ultimately falls short of its own stated goal—to offer a clear synthetic image of Haitian space, its specificities, and the acute challenges of this least-developed country. The critique points to the overly classical compartmentalized structure (history, physical data, population, economic sectors, etc.), which leads to fragmentation: crucial links, such as between food-crop systems and rural development or geomorphology, are lost across scattered plates. While the layout facilitated work among 26 authors and provides a useful mine of information, it lacks the integrative demonstration of cartographic analysis. The reviewer regrets that the atlas did not emulate Christian Girault’s thesis approach—tracing the coffee commodity chain to reveal how networks of wealth and power structure society and space. Missing are maps of such networks, the impasse of the peasantry combining erosion, overpopulation and emigration, or the economic/political/religious control networks. Ultimately, the atlas remains an inventory rather than a powerful spatial analysis of development problems, yielding an impression of dissatisfaction despite its considerable scholarship. The conclusion calls for a more problem-driven, synthetic cartographic demonstration that would fully correspond to the ambition of researching the spatial dimension of national reality.
This review examines the Atlas d'Haïti (1985), the third comprehensive national atlas published in the Caribbean, following Cuba and Puerto Rico. Compiled by the Centre d'Etude de Géographie Tropicale with French financial support, directed by Christian Girault and involving 26 francophone specialists and Haitian institutions, the atlas is analyzed for its structure, content, and cartographic execution. The atlas comprises thirty chapters following a conventional thematic progression from physical geography and history to population, economy, and sociocultural services. Each chapter pairs a concise textual synthesis with a full-page color map and bibliography. Cartography is of the highest order: maps at a 1:1,000,000 scale are flawlessly designed, with detailed town plans and a remarkably clear Landsat satellite montage. While the maps constitute the core strength, the accompanying black-and-white photographs are criticized for uneven quality and an overemphasis on poverty, resulting in an unbalanced visual narrative. Designed with a loose-leaf binding to permit future chapter insertion, the atlas lacks page numbers and an index limited to chapter headings, somewhat reducing navigability. Overall, despite minor editorial shortcomings, the atlas stands as an important cartographic document due to its superb maps and up-to-date geographic information.
This review evaluates the National Atlas of Malawi, a looseleaf reference published in 1984 by the National Atlas Coordination Committee. The purpose is to describe the atlas's structure, cartographic content, and thematic contributions, and to assess its utility as a planning and educational tool. The method consists of a systematic examination of the atlas’s three sections: introductory locational maps and topographic series, a brief historical segment, and an extensive thematic section with 40 pages of maps grouped under natural environment, land resources, agriculture, industry, and social statistics. Accompanying elements include a gazetteer of over 4,500 place names and a transparent population overlay for cross-referencing. Key findings reveal that the atlas integrates METEOSAT imagery, topographic maps from 1:1,000,000 to 1:2,500 scales, and thematic maps based on post-1980 statistical data. Notable multivariate analyses assess environmental pressures and cultivation density. Thematic coverage encompasses geology, climate, soils, agricultural potential, infrastructure, and social services, with historical trend charts. A concluding emphasis on the Rural Growth Centres and Rural Piped Water Projects underscores the development-oriented focus. Minor critiques concern map organization and symbol scaling in trade flow representation. The conclusion is that the atlas successfully serves as a comprehensive, updatable reference for academics, government, and libraries, with a discounted school edition broadening its accessibility. The review confirms that the atlas meets its intended goals and constitutes a valuable national development document.
This review examines the *National Atlas of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya*, prepared in Sweden for the Planning Secretariat with input from Libyan scholars and local institutions, using statistical and cartographic data available in 1976–1977. Péchoux considers it one of the finest sources for understanding contemporary Libya. The atlas consists primarily of analytical small-scale maps (1:2,000,000) covering orography, climate, agricultural production, and industrial sites; the map of the Sebha region stands out as relatively detailed. Larger scales—1:1,000,000 for Cyrenaica and 1:250,000 for Tripolitania—reveal major relief features, the road network, and the distribution of clustered population. Large-scale maps are rare and limited to development plans of major cities, archaeological zones, and exemplary ongoing agricultural projects, often paired with aerial photographs that highlight agrarian colonization works funded by oil revenues. The atlas clearly reflects Libya’s sudden oil wealth: hydrogeological and water-resource maps, as well as the petroleum-perimeter map, are direct outcomes of hydrocarbon exploitation, while distinctive geological maps (Precambrian surface and Paleozoic surface at the base of the Mesozoic) stem from petroleum exploration campaigns. Historical maps situate Libya within the Arab world, and Gemini satellite images, though more anecdotal, are included with sketch maps. Notably, the small-scale southern maps reveal that borders claimed by Libya at the fringes of Algeria, Niger, and Chad do not coincide with generally accepted limits. Péchoux concludes that very few states in the region possess an atlas of comparable quality.
This review highlights the completion of the exhaustive cartographic coverage of the French Overseas Departments through the publication of the Atlas of Guadeloupe by the C.E.G.E.T. in Bordeaux. As the final volume in a series following the atlases of Réunion and Martinique, this work presented exceptional challenges due to the geographical dispersion of the Guadeloupe archipelago, which encompasses not only the main island complex but also outlying territories such as Saint-Barthélemy and the French part of Saint-Martin. Benefiting from progressively refined cartographic techniques and mature conceptual frameworks, the atlas stands as the finest of the series. It also represents the crowning achievement of a monumental scientific cycle shaped by Guy Lasserre, whose earlier doctoral thesis focused on the archipelago. The atlas results from an intimate collaboration among C.E.G.E.T., the University of Bordeaux III, the Centre Universitaire Antilles-Guyane, and numerous other specialists, bringing together 38 co-authors. Drawing on rich and original documentation, it provides a true encyclopedic compendium of local situations. The work offers classic examples of tropical island characteristics in vegetation, pedology, land use, land tenure structures, and urbanization forms. Published under the auspices of the C.N.R.S. and O.R.S.T.O.M., the atlas constitutes a high-level scientific document that honours the French school of tropical geography, strongly influenced by Pierre Gourou and exemplified by Guy Lasserre. Moreover, it serves as an essential instrument for fostering more harmonious and effective regional development through an enhanced understanding of the complex physical, human, and economic environment of the insular region.
This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the fourth revised edition (1974) of *The National Atlas of Canada*, edited by Gerald Fremlin and published by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. The atlas, available in both English and French, measures 38×27 cm, is wire-bound, and features four color satellite images from August and September 1973 on the inner covers, showing the Mackenzie River estuary, the Chaleur–Quebec region, Vancouver, and Lethbridge. It contains 254 map pages; double-page spreads employ a principal scale of 1:15,000,000, while single-page maps are at 1:20,000,000. Smaller-scale maps (1:30,000,000 to 1:75,000,000) and regional enlargements (1:5,000,000 or 1:750,000) are also included, with some coverage restricted to the economically developed areas south of 60°N. Maps, diagrams, and textual explanations are harmoniously arranged, and the overall design and printing quality are high.
The atlas provides a comprehensive and detailed portrayal of Canada’s physical environment and socio-economic conditions. Physical maps of relief, glaciation, permafrost, geology, tectonic structure, drainage basins, and climate are particularly well compiled. The climate section features practically significant indicators for agriculture and industry, such as dates of first and last frost, frost-free period, growing season duration, accumulated temperature, precipitation, and detailed snow data. Population maps depict urban and rural distribution, density, demographic change, ethnicity, language, and education. Economic maps cover agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, mining, industry, transportation, and trade. Additional plates illustrate the historical evolution of territory, northern and southern economic zoning, and census divisions. The atlas concludes with its principal data sources. The study also notes several provincial atlases—such as those of British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario—which complement the national work by highlighting regional natural wealth, geographical conditions, and productive capacity, thereby promoting public understanding and planned resource development.
This review evaluates the newly published national atlas of Chile, a full-color cartographic work presenting the country's physical geography, economy, and population. The atlas is organized into five sections: general historical maps and border delineations; a 1:1,009,800 hypsometric topographic map series with Antarctic territorial claims; national thematic maps covering geology, climate, phytogeography, demography, and economy; an extensive set of eight-page regional thematic atlases for the thirteen administrative regions, all arranged with consistent topics and color schemes; and a gazetteer, bibliography, and index. The reviewer adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, examining content organization, cartographic design, and production quality. The atlas is generally well-produced, with data largely from the mid- to late-1970s and the 1970 census, offering fairly current information. Strengths include attractive colors, a convenient format, and durable sewn binding. Several design and printing flaws are identified: topographic maps use identical typefaces for settlements and physiographic labels, reducing clarity; city administrative rank is indicated by type size but not explained in the legend; yellow circular symbols for manufacturing categories are difficult to discern on a white background; and approximately ten pages suffer from printing misregistration, which blurs photographs and distorts dot distribution maps—most notably a livestock map where red and blue dots misalign to create false purple clusters. Although distracting, these minor defects are too few to deter acquisition. Overall, the atlas is a valuable and competitively priced ($99.09) repository of information on Chile. A practical note advises specifying surface shipment to avoid unexpected air freight charges.
This paper reviews the eight-volume *National Atlas of India* (1982), a landmark postcolonial cartographic project initiated by S. P. Chatterjee and produced by the National Atlas Organization. Designed to support economic development, especially agriculture, the atlas offers nationwide and regional perspectives. The study examines the atlas’s format, cartographic design, thematic content, and production background. The massive work employs multiple scales (1:1,000,000 to 1:25,000,000) and projections, featuring 274 maps classified into seven categories, with economic topics accounting for 36 percent and agriculture the largest single subcategory at 16 percent. While recognized as a model national atlas and praised for its precision, several shortcomings are identified: population and economic data are largely outdated (pre-1981 census), industrialization is unevenly mapped, family planning patterns are absent, and post‑Green Revolution agricultural advances are not reflected. Moreover, maps of regional economic development levels are missing, limiting direct planning utility. Despite these gaps, the atlas embodies meticulous fieldwork and cartographic excellence, standing as a symbolic achievement for developing countries and an indispensable reference for the spatial analysis of India. The review concludes that the atlas, though in need of updates, remains a work of high merit and a critical resource for understanding the country’s multifaceted regional geography.
This paper provides a comprehensive review of a selection of major world and national atlases produced in the twentieth century, including works from the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, and other European and North American countries. Through detailed description and comparative analysis, the study examines the content, cartographic design, projection selection, symbolization, and overall scientific and ideological quality of these atlases. Key findings highlight the remarkable scope and systematic organization of atlases such as the Soviet *Great Soviet World Atlas*, *Atlas Mira*, and *Morskoi Atlas*, which emphasize socialist economic achievements and anti‑imperialist perspectives. British publications like *The Times Atlas of the World* and *The Times Atlas of World History* are noted for their comprehensive reference value and continuous revision, while the German *Berghaus Physikalischer Atlas* pioneered thematic physical geography mapping. The review also evaluates the innovative representations in the *Swiss Atlas*, the detailed environmental and socio‑economic coverage in the *Canadian* and *American National Atlases*, and the high‑quality design of the *Japanese National Atlas*. Several atlases are critiqued for projection inconsistencies, poor layout, or politically biased boundary depictions. The paper concludes that these atlases collectively reflect the evolution of modern cartography and serve as indispensable tools for geographical research, land‑use planning, and education, while also revealing the diverse political and scientific contexts of their production.
This paper presents a comparative analysis of several major national and world atlases, examining their cartographic design, thematic content, and editorial coordination. The study focuses on the Belgian National Measured Atlas, the Canadian National Atlas (4th edition, 1974), the U.S. National Atlas (1970), and Goode’s World Atlas (15th edition, 1979), along with selected regional atlases. Through detailed review of maps, scales, projections, symbolization, and source materials, the paper evaluates how effectively each atlas represents physical and socioeconomic phenomena. Key findings highlight that the Canadian atlas excels in comprehensive coverage of natural conditions and societal dynamics, using well‑integrated multiple scales and transparent overlays. The Belgian atlas innovatively combines absolute and relative indicators, such as dot maps for livestock distribution alongside ratio maps for stocking density. In contrast, the U.S. National Atlas, while rich in content, suffers from thematic inconsistency, harsh coloring in some ecological and geological maps, and a lack of unified editorial oversight, which undermines its overall coherence. Goode’s World Atlas is praised for its equal‑area interrupted projection, detailed urban maps at consistent scales, and strong suitability for educational use, though certain environmental and geomorphological maps require refinement. Regional atlases serve diverse purposes, from classroom instruction to investment promotion and tourism. The paper concludes that successful atlas design depends on systematic editorial coordination, appropriate choice of projections and symbolization, and a clear focus on user needs. Goode’s atlas exemplifies effective educational design, while the deficiencies in the U.S. atlas underscore the importance of integrating contributions from numerous agencies into a visually harmonious and intellectually coherent cartographic product.
This chapter provides a comprehensive survey of major Chinese atlases produced since the mid-20th century, alongside a brief introduction to the Soviet world atlas. The research aims to document the development, content, and scientific value of these cartographic works. Using descriptive analysis, the chapter examines atlas design, map scales, projections, thematic coverage, and compilation methods. Key findings highlight several landmark publications: the ambitious National Geographic Atlas of China (initiated in 1956, with only the Natural Atlas volume fully published in 1965, reaching international standards), provincial atlases featuring advanced conic projections and hypsometric tints, the eight‑volume Chinese Historical Atlas (1974) based on Yang Shoujing’s earlier work, and a wide array of thematic atlases covering geology, climate, hydrology, agriculture, and remote sensing. Notable examples include the Jiangsu Provincial Agricultural Atlas, which employed graded proportional symbols to represent agricultural statistics, and the innovative people’s commune atlases that integrated field surveys with local knowledge. The chapter also references the Soviet Bol’shoy Sovetskiy Atlas Mira as a comparative benchmark. The results demonstrate that Chinese atlases have evolved into sophisticated reference tools that systematically present physical, economic, and historical information. They serve not only as vital resources for national planning, resource management, and scientific research but also as instruments for public education and international academic exchange. The survey concludes that these atlases reflect the accumulation of multidisciplinary scientific achievements and the continuous improvement of cartographic techniques in China.
This collection of critical reviews evaluates four recent works on African political history and geography, highlighting their contributions and methodological shortcomings. The opening critique examines a study of Chad’s civil war by Richard Adloff and a co-author. While the chronology of events is sound, the reviewers fault it for a profoundly erroneous conclusion—that Hissène Habré could never return to power after 1980—attributing this failure to the authors’ lack of empirical, on-the-ground knowledge of Chadian politics. By contrast, Bernard Lanne’s *Tchad-Libye. La querelle des frontières* is praised as a foundational, exhaustively sourced work that definitively establishes the Chad–Libya border based on international treaties and archival research, including testimonies from the 1935 Mussolini–Laval era. The *Atlas du Rwanda*, produced by the National University of Rwanda, is lauded for its rich integration of historical cartography with physical, human, and economic geography; special maps trace the kingdom’s formation, precolonial trade, German and Belgian colonization, and the growth of Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim missions. Finally, Dominique Darbon and Philippe L’Hoiry’s comparative study of political power and integration in Burundi and Malawi is severely criticized. The Burundi section relies on outdated ethnic and clan models, ignores key recent scholarship, and suffers from conceptual confusion, while the Malawi analysis, though clearer, offers little novelty. Overall, the reviews underscore the necessity of rigorous historical methodology and direct engagement with primary sources in African studies.
The paper reviews *L'Atlas de la Guadeloupe*, the final volume in a collection of atlases of French overseas departments conceived by Guy Lasserre. Created by a multidisciplinary team from research centers and universities, the atlas aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive geographical foundation for regional planning and economic development. The content systematically presents the physical environment, including the complex volcanic geology of Basse-Terre, the karstic landscapes of Grande-Terre, tropical climates and cyclone hazards, and the distribution of vegetation and soils. A detailed historical overview traces population dynamics from the colonial era through the abolition of slavery to the recent demographic transition, highlighting the rapid decline in birth rates and the role of migration to metropolitan France. The socioeconomic analysis focuses on agricultural systems, notably the historical dominance and restructuring of sugar cane and banana exports, the modernization of livestock raising, and efforts to diversify crops. Additional sections assess forestry, artisanal and modernizing fisheries, and the limited industrial sector. The atlas concludes that Guadeloupe’s economy is highly dependent on metropolitan support, with deep ethnic and social divisions overlapping land tenure patterns, while demographic control and agricultural rationalization mark the most significant recent trends. The work stands as an essential reference tool for understanding the island’s spatial organization and the challenges facing its tropical environment.
This paper provides a systematic introduction and evaluation of the population map series in the *National Atlas of Japan*, aiming to serve as a reference for thematic cartography and population mapping. Through descriptive analysis, the study examines the series’ composition, thematic content, and cartographic techniques. The population series comprises 25 main maps, 9 inset maps, 114 statistical charts, and accompanying texts, covering population distribution, composition (age, gender, household, occupation), and dynamics (natural change and social migration). Key findings highlight several merits: the content is rich, spanning 15 themes; classification is highly detailed, with choropleth maps employing up to nine classes and multiple statistical units from city to village level; diverse representation methods are skillfully integrated, notably the innovative use of triangular graphs combined with qualitative area symbolism to reveal structural trends; statistical graphics, especially population pyramids, substantially enhance expressiveness and facilitate historical comparison; place names are printed on transparent overlays to reduce map clutter while maintaining legibility; and printing quality is excellent. A notable shortcoming is the absence of maps depicting ethnic composition. The analysis concludes that the Japanese population map series exemplifies sophisticated atlas design, offering valuable insights for producing comprehensive population atlases, though inclusion of ethnic composition would further strengthen its completeness.
The General Directorate of Geography and National Territory (DGGTN) of Mexico compiled the country's first national atlas over a period of four years and seven months, with design and compilation taking four years and drafting and printing seven months. The atlas contains 224 pages: 164 pages of line maps, 17 pages of image maps, 11 pages of legends, 16 pages of place‑name index, and 13 pages of explanatory text. All maps are printed in six colors on a uniform sheet size of 88 × 48 cm. The base scale is 1:250,000, while the introductory maps are at 1:5,000,000, showing the national territory and major features such as hydrography, relief, settlements, roads, railways, and administrative divisions, as well as the principal coastal economic zones. The atlas comprises eleven thematic map groups: topographic map, relief map, geostatistical map, mean annual precipitation map, mean annual temperature map, climate map, geological map, land‑use map, soil map, tourism map, and image map. Topographic maps use the Lambert conformal conic projection with two standard parallels and depict state capitals, settlements over 5,000 population, roads, and railways. Relief maps apply warm colors for lower elevations and cool colors for higher areas, with white for peaks above 4,000 m. Geostatistical maps encode each state with a two‑digit number and statistical districts with a five‑digit code. Climate maps combine temperature and precipitation data, delineating climate regions with distinct colors. Geological maps portray rock types and ages using internationally recognized color schemes. Tourism maps emphasize access routes to recreational sites and indicate service facilities with symbols. Image maps were derived from Landsat imagery (1973–1978) in a conformal projection at 1:1,000,000, with blue‑toned images and minimal black annotation. The atlas integrates diverse physical and socio‑economic geographic information, representing a milestone in Mexican thematic cartography.
This paper reviews the recently published Atlas of French Guiana, the third volume in the series *Atlas des Départements Français d’Outre‑Mer*. Directed by Guy Lasserre, the atlas aims to furnish a geographic instrument attuned to the department’s development plan. The review examines the work’s structure, thematic scope, and cartographic design, assessing both its scientific accomplishments and its weaknesses. The atlas contains 36 colour plates with extensive explanatory texts, produced by more than fifty specialists. Nearly half of the plates are devoted to the natural environment—geology, geomorphology, soils, climate, vegetation—reflecting the difficulties posed by a forest‑dominated, historically inaccessible terrain. Other themes cover human settlement history, population distribution and migration, land use, agriculture, forest and mineral resources, and urban infrastructure. The reviewer highlights the precision with which spatial organization is mapped and considers the atlas the most comprehensive geographical synthesis of French Guiana yet achieved. Comparisons with the earlier insular DOM atlases underscore the territory’s individuality, notably a coastal concentration of population and an almost empty interior. While the overall quality is commended, certain cartographic shortcomings are noted: cluttered rainfall maps, a confusing vegetation colour scheme, and an overloaded housing map that would be more effective as separate thematic sheets. The atlas is recognized as a major scientific undertaking, made possible through cooperation between CEGET and IGN, and its extension to overseas territories is advocated. It stands as an essential reference for both research and development planning.
This paper delivers a thorough critical assessment of the first National Atlas of Japan (1977, English edition), supplemented by concise reviews of two other notable geographical publications. The National Atlas of Japan is presented as a national undertaking designed for practical application in economic and informational spheres, serving as both a knowledge repository for foreign specialists and a cartographic benchmark. The reviewer examines the atlas’s conceptual basis, thematic structure, and cartographic methods, including the government‑specified kunrei‑siki transcription system, which alters familiar Hepburn romanizations and complicates identification. The thematic content—ranging from physical geography and climate to population, industry, infrastructure, and culture—is generally well selected and cartographically sound. However, practical shortcomings are noted: the exclusive use of prefectural administrative units limits analytical depth for economic practice; temporal inconsistencies in data across thematic sections restrict comparability; and certain thematic areas, such as commuter flows and industrial location by production value, are absent. Positive highlights include the treatment of natural disasters, recreation facilities, and the extensive small‑scale cartograms and diagrams that supplement the main maps. Despite space‑wasting text pages and occasional gaps in basic data, the atlas is deemed a successful, content‑rich work that surpasses earlier Japanese atlases and significantly enriches the geographical information base. The paper also briefly reviews a geobotanical mapping volume detailing a vegetation classification of the European USSR and Transcaucasia, and an international maps and atlases bibliography cataloguing 15,000 contemporary titles, noting issues with missing publication years and the work’s practical reference value.
This review article explores two recently published atlases of Rwanda and Burundi, produced with support from the French Ministry of Cooperation for the national universities of each country. The atlases compile rich geographical data using multi-colour plates, explanatory notes, maps, and bibliographies, integrating contributions from local and international scholars. The review highlights the striking physical and historical similarities between the two small, landlocked Central African nations—high plateaus nourished by tropical rains, a shared legacy of kingdoms, German and Belgian colonization, and post-independence ethnic tensions between Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. It summarizes the atlases’ detailed coverage of physical geography: complex relief formed by the Great Rift Valley, volcanic massifs, the Congo-Nile crest, intensely dissected central hill lands, and eastern plains; equatorial highland climates with marked regional variability; and diverse but heavily degraded soils and vegetation. The atlases further examine human geography, notably extreme population densities that have doubled in recent decades, intensive subsistence and commercial agriculture on steep slopes, widespread soil erosion and deforestation, and the recent emergence of urban centers such as Kigali and Bujumbura. By documenting these dynamics and the environmental pressures they engender, the atlases offer an indispensable, multidimensional portrait of the two countries, serving both academic research and development planning.
This paper provides an overview of the past and present state of cartography in Venezuela, focusing on official general land maps and national atlases. Drawing on the author's stay in Venezuela from 1978 to 1980 and a review of relevant literature, it traces the evolution of mapping from the colonial era to the late 1970s. During the colonial period, maps were produced by European explorers such as Juan de la Cosa, Guiljelmus Blaeuw, and Alexander von Humboldt. After independence in 1830, systematic national mapping began. A key milestone was the compilation of the "Atlas Físico y Político de la República de Venezuela" by the Italian geographer Agustín Codazzi in 1840, which served as a foundational reference for decades. Government-led systematic mapping started in 1904 with the creation of the Military Map Commission, which initiated plans for series at scales of 1:1,000,000, 1:250,000 and 1:50,000. In 1937, the National Cartography Office merged with the Aerial Photography Service to form the Dirección de Cartografía Nacional, the central mapping agency. Geodetic control networks, leveling, and aerial photo coverage expanded substantially; by 1975, first-order triangulation covered 70% of the country and aerial photos covered 85%. Topographic mapping at 1:25,000 using aerial photogrammetry began in 1938 and covered about 60% of the territory by 1975. The 1:100,000 topographic map was compiled from these sheets, but national coverage remained incomplete. To fill gaps in unmapped southern regions, radar imagery and LANDSAT data were employed. National atlases were published in 1969 and, in a considerably expanded second edition, in 1979. The study concludes that Venezuelan cartography successfully transitioned from reliance on European explorers to dedicated national institutions, yet complete basic map coverage had still not been achieved, and the absence of a cartographic society limited professional exchange and discussion.
This review critically examines the *Atlas National du Sénégal*, a pedagogical dossier coordinated by Régine Van Chi-Bonnardel and published by the Institut Géographique National (France) for the Republic of Senegal. The purpose is to assess the atlas as both a cartographic product and an educational tool. The analysis covers its graphic design, thematic scope, and accompanying explanatory notices, focusing on its dual ambition of serving teaching and research. The review finds that the atlas succeeds in synthesizing diverse geographical and historical data into clear, legible maps, supported by well‑structured notices that fill data gaps and provide bibliographies. Nevertheless, several shortcomings are identified: the omission of numerical scales on plates, occasionally excessive use of colour, outdated population statistics (based on the 1971 census), insufficient treatment of rural livelihoods—agriculture, livestock, and fishing—which sustain 80% of Senegal’s population, and a lack of cross‑thematic spatial syntheses. More fundamentally, the review points to an ambiguity between map and text: the extensive notices tend to overshadow the maps, reducing them to illustrations rather than primary carriers of progressively refined information. This tension reflects a deeper ambivalence between presenting solid pedagogical knowledge and showcasing recent research. The author concludes that the controversy sparked by a single notice demonstrates how tenuous the perception of cartographic facts remains, even among academics. The atlas’s ultimate value depends on clearly defining its intended audience and whether it aims to be a teaching resource or a synthesis of cutting‑edge research.
This paper provides a cartographic technical review of *The National Atlas of the United States of America*, a large comprehensive atlas compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with over 80 federal agencies and more than 20 academic societies, published in 1970. The study examines the atlas’s compilation history, general characteristics, mathematical foundations, coordination and consistency in design, thematic structure, and other distinctive features. Methodologically, the evaluation compares the atlas’s design choices with those of other national atlases and against ideal cartographic principles. Key strengths identified include a well‑chosen page size, a systematic and unified scale series (with reference maps at 1:2,000,000 for states and 1:500,000 for cities, and thematic maps at 1:7,500,000, 1:17,000,000 and 1:34,000,000), adoption of a single Albers equal‑area conic projection with two standard parallels (29°N and 45°30′N), and strong efforts at unifying base maps, data, classifications, and symbology. The general reference maps are exceptionally detailed, and the thematic maps introduce contemporary topics such as air and water pollution, while using consistent representation methods that facilitate comparison. Deficiencies are also pointed out: the natural environment section lacks a colored relief map, mineral deposits, and Quaternary geology; the historical section is overweighted and contains irrelevant materials; certain economic themes, like water transport and fisheries, are incomplete or oversimplified; the socio‑cultural section omits education, culture, and other vital topics; and the inclusion of a separate “world maps” section disrupts scientific classification. The paper concludes that despite its shortcomings, the atlas represents a high level of cartographic achievement. A careful analysis of its strengths and weaknesses can offer valuable lessons for the compilation of China’s own national atlas.
This review offers a critical evaluation of the third edition of the *Atlas de Colombia* (1977). The analysis assesses the atlas's cartographic design, structural organization, physical and cultural geography coverage, and overall utility for academic and reference purposes. The atlas is commended for its durable binding, clear hypsometric color schemes, and well-organized cultural geography section, which includes large-scale city maps paired with oblique aerial photographs. A supplementary section of historical cartography (1570–1927) adds scholarly value. Weaknesses are noted in the physical geography portion: repetitive coverage of the national territory and technical shortcomings such as narrow page margins and tight map gutters that hinder usability. Despite these flaws, the atlas is judged to be superior to comparable South American national atlases, particularly the Venezuelan atlas, in terms of relevance to North American geographers. The reviewer concludes that the volume is an excellent, affordably priced acquisition for libraries and a highly recommended resource for Latin American studies, praising its overall editorial quality and efficient presentation.
Canada's National Atlas Program has historically aimed to provide a timely cartographic synthesis of the country's geography for government administration and public understanding. This paper examines the function, evolving design, and technological transformation of the program in the computer era. Drawing on user needs analysis and cost-benefit considerations, the study identifies four primary user groups: government administrators, researchers, educators, and the public. To meet their diverse information needs, the 5th Edition abandons the traditional bound volume in favor of a dynamic, two-part system: a decennial Canada Gazetteer Atlas and an ongoing Thematic Atlas comprising large-scale data base sheets and interpretive overview sheets. The program emphasizes ready access to factual spatial data, with users free to combine maps for custom analyses. The paper further argues that digital technology, despite high initial investment, is inevitable due to the increasing availability of digital data and user demand for flexible spatial queries. However, cost-effectiveness hinges on designing a data base management system that enables on-demand map production and analysis from an integrated data base, rather than merely automating map drawing. Such an approach is expected to significantly enhance the atlas's utility and justify its continued evolution. The paper concludes that the national atlas function—providing an executive summary of national geography and rapid source reference—is more urgent than ever in the digital age, and Canada's program is being repositioned as a dynamic, digitally-enabled data base to fulfill that role.
This bibliographic review introduces and evaluates the *Atlas National du Sénégal* (1977), a landmark cartographic publication produced by a collaborative team of forty French and Senegalese researchers under the auspices of ORSTOM, IFAN, and CNRS, with printing by the Institut Géographique National. The review highlights the atlas’s genesis, outlined in a preface by President Léopold Sédar Senghor and an avant-propos by the editorial committee, which underscore the ambition to depict Senegal’s temporal and spatial reality within a global context. The atlas comprises 65 plate sets accompanied by dense scholarly notices. The review systematically surveys the atlas’s thematic structure: it opens with maps by Assane Seck situating Senegal’s global position and African relations, followed by Marcel Leroux’s climatological synthesis with 32 sketch maps. Geomorphological, hydrogeological, and pedological contributions by Pierre Michel are noted for their clarity and precision, while oceanographic maps by Chabanne, Rebert, and Domain synthesize recent Dakar-Thiaroye research. A particularly innovative historical section, co-authored by Descamps, Martin, Becker, and others, spans prehistory, protohistory with megalithic photography, medieval kingdoms, ethnic migrations, and colonial resistance. Contemporary themes include ethnolinguistic and religious diversity, administrative organization, population growth, rural dynamics (notably groundnut cultivation and pastoral transhumance), fisheries, industry, commerce, tourism, regional migration, and urban geography—the latter largely the work of the late Marc Vernière. The review praises the atlas’s expressive color choices, cartographic finesse, and comprehensive coverage of health, medicinal plants, education, and Senegal’s major regions (Fleuve, Sénégal Oriental, Casamance, Cap Vert). Concluding, the review lauds the atlas as a fundamental, precious working instrument and a decisive contribution to the knowledge of Senegal, a successful outcome of a bold and challenging enterprise.
This review article critically assesses three publications that shed light on the precolonial history of the West African Sahel and Senegal. The proceedings of the SCOA colloquium present newly transcribed oral traditions of the Ghana, Mali, and Songhay empires, centered on the narratives of griot Wa Kamissoko and complemented by archaeological updates and methodological debates on combining Arabic, oral, and material sources. The reviewer lauds the interdisciplinary richness but laments the lack of an index that would make the data accessible to non-participants. The *Atlas national du Sénégal* is then examined, with a focus on five historical plates covering ancient Senegambian kingdoms, seventeenth-century cartography, resistance to colonial conquest, and nineteenth-century imperialism. While acknowledging the atlas’s collaborative and multidisciplinary value, the author identifies significant flaws: questionable ethnic classifications, hypothetical frontier delimitations (especially for Kaabu and Jolof), chronological errors, and a neglect of socio-economic dynamics and popular resistances. Finally, Adam Konaré Ba’s monograph on Sonni Ali Ber is reviewed, highlighting its use of Arabic chronicles and Sonhantyé oral memory to reconstruct the ruler’s religiously syncretic empire-building, yet noting unresolved questions about his relations with the ulama of Timbuktu and the circumstances of the Askia’s ascent. Throughout, the article underscores the necessity of critical source analysis and interdisciplinary dialogue for advancing African historical research.
This paper traces the history, achievements, and future planning of the National Atlas of the United States. Following a 1960s recommendation by the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Geological Survey assumed responsibility and published the first edition in 1970 under the editorship of Dr. Arch C. Gerlach. Approximately 15,000 copies were printed at a total cost of about three million dollars, with distribution favoring educational and public libraries; the edition is now out of print. A parallel Separate Sales Editions program offered individual high-demand sheets and later added new thematic series on energy transportation and waterways. The paper also notes the flourishing of regional and state atlases, exemplified by the Atlas of Florida (1964) and A Comparative Atlas of America’s Great Cities (1976). Plans for a second edition, coordinated by a National Atlas Planning and Advisory Board, are centered on a formal statement of purpose—to enhance understanding of America’s environmental, demographic, economic, social, political, and historical dimensions, and to serve decision-makers and educators. Key decisions include adopting a looseleaf format for flexible updating and extensive use of computer-assisted cartography to streamline compilation, maintain a digital data bank, and facilitate analytical reuse. Content revisions involve deleting outdated mapping/charting sections and detailed urban maps, while adding new themes such as climatic hazards, land use/cover at 1:2,000,000, and socio-economic maps for major metropolitan areas. New graphic standards are under development. Although no direct funding is currently allocated, these planning efforts aim to produce a dynamic, data-rich national atlas suited to contemporary analytical and educational needs.
This paper describes the conception, production, and significance of a comprehensive national atlas of Japan, created between 1971 and 1976 by a dedicated institute. The primary objectives were multifaceted: to provide a tool for public administration, a basis for education, a resource for private enterprise (including serving as a foundation for other atlases), and a means of conveying thorough information about Japan internationally. The resulting atlas comprises 216 distinct maps accompanied by explanatory notes, all crafted with exceptional care. Standard maps employ an oblique conic projection with standard parallels aligned to the main axis of the Japanese archipelago, at a scale of 1:4,000,000. The thematic maps exhibit a full range of critically selected cartographic types. Reproduction involved extraordinary effort to achieve the highest aesthetic quality, exemplified by the specially manufactured paper. Thematically, the atlas covers almost every geographical topic, from physical and climatic conditions to population, economic exploitation, transport, and social and cultural aspects. The work stands as a monumental geographical achievement; although largely traditional in approach, it will be indispensable for nearly all future treatment of Japan’s geography. Minor flaws, such as imprecise English translations (e.g., “Dispersion of precipitation” instead of “Distribution of precipitation”), were noted. Overall, the atlas represents a unique and outstanding feat. Unfortunately, its high price and storage requirements are likely to limit its widespread dissemination.
This paper offers critical reviews of two significant cartographic and historical works. The first review assesses the 1977 fascicule of the *National Atlas of India*, prepared by the National Atlas Organisation. It traces the atlas’s evolution from a preliminary Hindi edition (1957) and a partial English version (1968) to the present expanded edition, which incorporates regional data from various Indian states. The review describes the physical format (loose-leaf, folded plates at scales of 1:1M, 1:2M, and 1:6M), the planned scope of at least 234 maps, and the thematic content covering physical geography, population, transport, and tourism. While acknowledging the ambitious nature of this national inventory, the reviewer identifies several weaknesses: inconsistent temporal baselines (reliance on 1951 census for large-scale maps versus 1961 data elsewhere), a production span of up to fifteen years for certain sections that undermines comparability, uneven print quality, and suboptimal organization of thematic plates. Despite these shortcomings, the work is praised as a fascinating and useful publication. The second review introduces a new assessment of William Roy, marking the 250th anniversary of his birth. It draws attention to a paper by Dr J. B. Harley published in the *Chartered Surveyor* (1978), which re-evaluates Roy’s role in the founding of the Ordnance Survey after two centuries. Together, the reviews highlight both the monumental challenges of compiling a comprehensive national atlas and the ongoing scholarly reappraisal of foundational figures in surveying.
By Sargent, John; Geographical Survey Institute, Ministry of Construction·
This paper provides a critical review of two significant cartographic publications. The main focus is the English-language edition of *The National Atlas of Japan*, a collaborative effort between government officials, academics, and cartographers. The review assesses the atlas’s overall production quality, describing its binding, colour representation, and printing as meeting the highest international standards. The atlas contains 216 maps, predominantly thematic, across A1 and A2 formats, accompanied by detailed explanatory notes that collectively summarize Japan’s physical, social, and economic geography. Key thematic emphases are analysed, notably the strong coverage of economic activities, physical environment, and social conditions, with particular attention given to maps addressing environmental problems, a reflection of contemporary Japanese concerns. The review evaluates cartographic techniques, including colour shading, proportional symbols, dot maps, and proportional lines, finding them generally effective but noting that the narrow geography of the Japanese archipelago occasionally leads to visual clutter, as seen in the coastal shipping map. While the atlas succeeds admirably as a comprehensive reference work for planners, two limitations are identified: most maps depict static distributions, lacking temporal change, and some information is obscured by the deep centre fold in larger double-page maps. The paper also briefly introduces the *Irrigation Atlas of India*, noting its introductory maps on meteorology, soils, land use, crops, population, and groundwater, followed by detailed maps of irrigation command areas. Overall, the review commends the Japanese atlas as an indispensable, high-standard reference for students of modern Japan, while offering a preliminary glance at the Indian atlas’s scope.
From the perspective of a geographer and map author, this review compares two recently published national atlases: the Atlas of the German Democratic Republic (first installment) and the completed Atlas of Japan. The analysis covers overall concept, thematic emphasis, and graphic design of individual map sheets. Both atlases follow a traditional sequence—overview, physical geography, population, and economic sectors—but diverge in focus: the DDR atlas stresses production in a socialist context, while the Japanese atlas gives greater weight to services, social conditions, and cultural institutions. Noteworthy differences include the use of sheet versos: the DDR atlas employs multilingual legends and supplementary information, serving as a translation aid for geographic terms, whereas the Japanese atlas uses both sides for maps and provides separate, detailed text-and-graphic commentaries that form a compact geographic encyclopedia, albeit with an unfamiliar official transliteration system. Graphically, the Japanese atlas features restrained colours and fine drawing with excellent print quality, relying mainly on choropleth maps and conventional symbols, though effective flow maps depict internal commodity movements. The DDR atlas is more innovative, offering creative combinations of point, line, and area elements (e.g., a road-network map with coloured density indicators), novel symbols such as a clock-face representation of frost-free period duration, and unusual themes like weed associations. Both atlases are highly stimulating and reward thorough study, each excelling in distinct ways—the Japanese atlas in encyclopedic depth and aesthetic refinement, the DDR atlas in graphic inventiveness and thematic originality.
This review examines *L’Atlas de la Martinique*, the second volume in the series of atlases of French overseas departments, published in 1976. The atlas was produced by the CNRS Centre d’Études de Géographie Tropicale in collaboration with the geography departments of the Universities of Aix‑Marseille II and Bordeaux III, the University Centre of the Antilles‑Guyane, and BRGM. Its creation involved about thirty specialists and benefited from extensive documentation provided by numerous local organisations, as well as intensive fieldwork. The work comprises thirty‑seven loose‑leaf colour map plates (48 × 58 cm), each accompanied by explanatory texts, statistical tables, cross‑sections, graphs, and supplementary black‑and‑white maps, forming a graphic and geographic documentation of exceptional quality. The review highlights the careful visual presentation of successive themes, which remains classic yet engaging. Noteworthy cartographic innovations include mesh‑based population density mapping, representations of settlement landscapes, land tenure structures, agricultural machinery, and detailed series on dominant crops—sugarcane and banana. Colour is generously and effectively employed, lending a certain sumptuousness without compromising the richness of the information. Certain themes are appropriately handled with monochrome maps supported by excellent shaded relief. All major problems of the island are addressed through a wide variety of cartographic means. The cartographic realisation, carried out by the Institut Géographique National as for all atlases in the series, perfects the overall quality. The review concludes that the Atlas of Martinique constitutes a first‑rate geographical synthesis, notable for both its scientific depth and its cartographic elegance.
This review presents an evaluation of the second, updated edition of *Atlas of Japan: Physical, Economic and Social*, edited by Akira Ebato and Kazuo Watanabe. The atlas is assessed as an excellent and visually appealing cartographic reference work. It comprises 64 maps organized into thematic groups covering physical geography, demography and urban patterns, agriculture and fisheries, mining and power, manufacturing industries, and diverse socio-economic topics such as trade, media, income, and transportation. The review highlights the atlas’s effective use of clear statistical tables, graphs, and a striking color scheme to illustrate population density and economic flows, noting that several maps achieve a rare combination of cartographic precision and artistic presentation. A concise multilingual supplement provides brief, up-to-date explanatory essays for each map, serving as a basic primer on modern Japanese geography. The review concludes that the atlas offers a broad, well-organized overview of Japan’s modernization and constitutes a valuable, handsome reference work for any library.
Robert Hall, *University of Rochester*
This review examines The National Atlas of Japan (1977), an official publication marking a shift from traditional geographic collections to a thematic portrayal of Japan’s socio-economic and cultural landscape. Compiled by the Geographical Survey Institute over nearly a decade, the oversized, bilingual volume contains over 300 maps covering physical features, climate, population, industry, transport, social conditions, education, and more, including arcane data such as bush warbler first warble dates. The review praises the atlas’s superb color printing and fascinating detail, but identifies significant drawbacks: the maps rely on early‑1970s statistics that were already outdated at publication, rendering them unreliable for a rapidly changing society; the use of the kunrei romanization system in the English edition impedes international accessibility. A striking finding is the extreme concentration of national functions in Tokyo and Kinki, highlighting disaster vulnerability. The review questions the practical value of such an expensive and swiftly obsolescent work, especially for libraries, and suggests that a less comprehensive, more compact, and cheaper version, easier to update, would have been more effective, at least for the English version. It ends with a provocative comparison: the cost of the atlas equals a 25‑year subscription to a Japan‑focused journal.
The Atlas of Martinique, the second volume after that of Réunion, is an equally successful achievement, thanks to its rigorously comparable presentation and the high-quality information assembled by a team of thirty highly qualified researchers with direct expertise on the subject. This atlas is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in the island. It features a chronological map with a wealth of place names — although, regrettably, still lacking an index — and an accurate description of the natural environment, essential for any human explanation. While the atlas strives to depict the most current situation, the historical dimension is not forgotten. A substantial introductory notice by L. Elisabeth provides insight into the past, explaining the functioning of institutions, the components and fluctuations of population settlement, and offering very interesting details on illegitimacy (in terms of filiation) and social struggles up to the present day. One can only regret that, unlike the Réunion atlas, historical cartography is not expressed beyond a single map from 1734. This map is splendid and highly evocative, with its yellowed paper background, sailboats, accentuated shoreline strokes, shaded relief, depiction of volcanoes, and a very rich toponymy, from which, as the commentator notes, few statistical lessons can unfortunately be drawn. Historical data with quantitative precision and necessary caveats are also found in several other notices: population with its spatio-temporal components and distribution in the countryside inherited from the plantation economy, land tenure structures, and the economy of sugar cane and a few other crops. A document to recommend, a collection to follow.
This text is a collection of book reviews originally published in a cartography and geography journal. It critically assesses four distinct works. The first review examines the Atlas Nacional de Guatemala (1972), commending its cartographic excellence, appropriate scales, and high-quality photographs, while noting that the accompanying text could be expanded on social and industrial themes and would benefit from measurement conversions for unfamiliar readers. The second review discusses Make Me a Map of the Valley: The Civil War Journal of Stonewall Jackson’s Topographer, edited by A. P. McDonald. The journal of Jedediah Hotchkiss provides a rare grassroots primary-source account of the American Civil War and the life of a map maker for Confederate generals; however, its daily repetitions and trivial details may prove tedious for non-specialists. The third review evaluates Die Grossen Kalten Berge Von Szetschuan by Eduard Imhof, a richly illustrated account of a 1930s expedition to the Minya Konka Range that combines landscape painting, field-survey methods, and Swiss cartographic tradition to fill a blank spot on world maps. The final, briefer review covers Automatic Interpretation and Classification of Images, a 1969 lecture collection whose interdisciplinary approach to digital image processing retains significance for computer cartography despite its delayed availability. Collectively, the reviews highlight intersections of cartography with history, art, exploration, and computation, and serve as guidance on each publication’s scholarly value.
This paper examines the potential of national complex atlases as a foundation for subsequent thematic and typological cartography, using the development of a map of “Agricultural Production Types of Land” for the Matanzas Province of Cuba as a case study. The primary data source is the National Atlas of Cuba (1970), created under USSR–Cuba scientific cooperation. The method involved a multi-stage analysis and synthesis of the atlas’s natural and socio-economic maps. Working tracings were first compiled from geomorphological, soil, and hydrogeological maps to delineate relief types, karst distribution, predominant soil series, and groundwater characteristics. In parallel, economic maps of agriculture, the sugar industry, transport, and water management were analyzed to identify leading agricultural branches, crop area distributions, sugar central locations, and melioration prospects. By sequentially overlaying all derived tracings and cross-referencing natural potential with economic trends, a comprehensive typological map at 1:750,000 scale was produced. The resulting map identifies five major agricultural production types—sugar cane; fruits, root crops, and vegetables; fiber crops; rice; and livestock—further subdivided into thirteen subtypes. The detailed legend integrates for each subtype the characteristic relief, karst forms, groundwater availability and quality, genetic soil groups, and key agronomic properties. The map also highlights lands currently unused but suitable for future agricultural development with melioration. The study demonstrates that systematic exploitation of national atlas materials enables scientifically grounded typological mapping, offering valuable forecasts for optimizing land use and advancing system-structural approaches in geography. The approach is particularly relevant for tropical regions, where combining multi-thematic atlas data reveals fine-scale spatial patterns of agricultural suitability and production structure.
This paper reports on a long-term cartographic initiative led by the Department of Planning and the Environment of South Africa, which has been underway since 1966. The primary objective is the compilation of a comprehensive national development atlas documenting the Republic's natural resource base. Designed as a loose-leaf publication, the atlas allows for continuous updating and expansion, ensuring the currency of the information provided. The thematic scope is broad, encompassing physical environmental features, social aspects, water resources, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as industry and economic factors. By integrating these diverse data layers, the atlas aims to support evidence-based spatial planning and resource management. The paper highlights the progress of this initiative, noting that several sections have already been finalized. A particular focus is given to the recently completed forestry section. This component consists of two colour maps: one delineating the humidity zones across the country and another illustrating the geographical distribution of forest plantations categorized by wood species. These maps are accompanied by two pages of explanatory text that interpret the spatial patterns and underlying data. The completion of the forestry section demonstrates the atlas's role in consolidating fragmented environmental information into an accessible, visual format. The ongoing compilation of the atlas provides a foundational reference for understanding the spatial configuration of South Africa's natural assets and serves as a strategic tool for sustainable development planning.
This paper presents a comparative review of two major cartographic reference works: the monumental Atlas Histórico y Geográfico del Perú, and the Archaeological Atlas of the World by David and Ruth Whitehouse. The review first details the Peruvian atlas’s seven-year collaborative preparation under Carlos Peñaherrera de Aguila, involving numerous historians, geographers, and institutions. The resulting oversize volume (90 x 42 cm) is described as the most comprehensive cartographic collection on Peru of its generation. The atlas is divided into five sections: historical cartography including classic map reproductions; contemporary national coverage spanning physiography, climate, economy, health, and education; uniform departmental maps with city plans and photographs; frontier studies; and a landscape photography section. Its loose-leaf binding allows individual map removal, compensating for bulk. The reviewer praises its accuracy, clarity, and presentation, recommending it as an indispensable reference, though noting that economic and social data will date and suggesting periodic replacement sheets. The paper then compares the Whitehouse archaeological atlas to a similar earlier work edited by Jacquetta Hawkes. Where Hawkes’ atlas groups sites under 17 geographical headings with individual site commentaries, the Whitehouse volume is organized into seven sections with regional/chronological subdivisions, each accompanied by brief textual notes and no separate site commentaries. The reviewer highlights these distinct editorial approaches, concluding that both atlases are complementary and valuable for anyone interested in world archaeology. Overall, the review underscores the lasting scholarly utility of comprehensive thematic atlases while acknowledging their inevitable need for updating.
This review article evaluates two major reference publications: the *Atlas Nacional de Guatemala* (1972) and the four-volume *Gazetteers of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria* (reprint edition, 1972). Through descriptive and critical analysis, the author assesses the cartographic quality, content organization, and scholarly utility of each work. The Guatemalan atlas is praised as a superior cartographic achievement, distinguished by its appealing format, carefully chosen color photographs, and clear, well-designed symbols. Notable high points include a striking plate on internal migration and effective physical, human, and economic resource sections. However, the reviewer identifies several shortcomings: frequent absence of representative fraction or linear scales on map plates, lack of a political organization section, inconsistent lettering sizes, omission of department boundaries, and an overabundance of lifeless gray photographs that detract from the overall quality. Despite these flaws, the atlas remains a valuable visual introduction to Guatemala, compensating readers’ language limitations with universal graphic clarity. The Nigerian gazetteers are presented as far more than simple tables; they are administrative handbooks compiled between the arrival of the British and the 1930s, containing rich demographic, ethnologic, and economic records. Volumes on the Hausa emirates and the pagan groups of the Plateau Province are especially commended for their historical depth. A major weakness is the insufficient number of maps. The reviewer concludes that both works, despite minor correctable faults, are essential acquisitions for scholarly libraries, particularly those with Latin American or African collections. The atlas compensates for its textual limitations with exceptional visual communication, while the gazetteers offer unique primary-source documentation for historical research.
This paper reviews a recently produced thematic atlas folio of Ghana, compiled less than thirteen years after the adoption of the country’s first Republican constitution. The folio, whose background and authors remain obscure, presents fifteen map sheets at a scale of 1:1,500,000, covering themes in agriculture, demography, transport, education, and banking. The maps employ a wide array of cartographic symbolization techniques, including pie-graphs, proportional circles, divided bar graphs, dot maps, choropleths, flow lines, and point symbols, all rendered using a maximum of eight solid colors without halftone screens. The review evaluates the design effectiveness of these methods. While the maps are reasonably clear and demonstrate diverse visualization strategies, several inconsistencies undermine their overall quality. Colors appear garish in places, and the yellow land mask varies in intensity across sheets. The use of black for titles, borders, and labels on some maps but grey on others introduces further visual confusion, and symbol placement occasionally obscures underlying lettering. Data range from the 1960 and 1970 censuses, necessitating caution when synthesizing a comprehensive thematic impression. The reviewer acknowledges the ambitious scope of the project and credits its initiators for tackling such a complex task, but concludes that greater attention to design consistency—particularly in color application, type placement, and tonal harmony—would have significantly improved readability and professional appearance. This critique highlights the cartographic challenges of balancing thematic richness with clear communication in national atlases.
This paper reviews the "Atlas of Japan," a medium-sized national atlas characterized by map scales of 1:4 million, 1:6 million, and 1:9 million. The physical geography section includes relief maps with six elevation steps, submarine relief with an eight-step blue scale (though sometimes lacking clarity), volcanism maps covering sea areas, river discharge diagrams, and a natural landscape classification at 1:4 million. Oceanographic maps for February and August present water temperatures and current directions, while geological, climatic, snow, frost, and vegetation maps complete the physical overview. The population segment features a 1960 density map using pseudo-isolines, population change (1960–65), and urban settlement size groups, though circle symbol congestion in urban agglomerations impairs readability. Economic structure maps distinguish agricultural and industrial dominance at the community level, followed by detailed treatments of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Land use at 1:4 million is visually compelling; however, the 1:40 million scale for rice, mulberry, fruit, and tea cultivation maps is criticized as overly small. Industrial maps cover mining, manufacturing, electricity, and steel, but proportional circle symbols overlap excessively in dense areas, undermining cartographic purpose. Foreign trade, transport infrastructure, and a brief cultural section (mass media, universities, museums, national parks) round out the content. A triangular symbol map of income structure by sector is included, though its interpretative value is debatable. The atlas’s printing quality is excellent, reflecting advanced Japanese polygraphic technology. Overall, the atlas provides comprehensive geographic and economic information, albeit with occasional design flaws in symbol selection and scale choices that reduce clarity in some thematic maps.
This paper proposes a set of thematic maps and illustrations to enhance the 1957 preliminary edition of the National Atlas of India, which contained 79 maps and 21 inset sketches. Recognizing that a national atlas should present a comprehensive perspective of a country’s physical and cultural geography, the author identifies gaps in the existing atlas and suggests supplementary cartographic content. Key suggestions include a retro‑azimuthal projection map centered on India to clarify its global locational context, given that azimuths and retro‑azimuths lack a simple mutual relationship except along shared meridians or the equator. For agriculture, a series of four sunshine maps—mean January and July sunshine hours, total annual sunshine hours, and generalized isolines of solar radiation—is recommended to highlight the importance of sunlight for plant growth, alongside a map of irrigation potential in unirrigated or under‑irrigated areas based on water‑balance studies. Economic mapping proposals cover the distribution of commercial timber and other forest products, commercially cultivated fruits and spices, and poultry farms with comparative flock sizes. To reflect social dimensions, the paper calls for maps showing the percentage of students with access to educational facilities, locations of radio broadcasting stations and their frequencies, district‑wise standard of living measured by per capita annual expenditure, and surplus/deficit food grain regions. Additional illustrations include line graphs of solar altitude at five Indian cities, a graph of the annual variation of the Equation of Time, a comparative elevation sketch of principal mountain peaks with a reference line indicating that no peak outside India rises above it, and a diagram comparing the lengths of major rivers. The proposed additions aim to enrich the atlas’s portrayal of India’s locational, environmental, economic, and social characteristics, thereby better serving geographers, cartographers, and the general citizenry.
This survey updates Ena L. Yonge’s earlier review by cataloguing and describing significant general and thematic atlases of the Western Hemisphere published over the subsequent ten-year period. It compiles 147 volumes, organized by geographic coverage from hemispheric to continental, national, and subnational scales, including atlases of the United States, Canada, and their constituent states and provinces. The descriptive compilation highlights the diversity of atlas production: comprehensive national atlases (e.g., *The National Atlas of the United States*, *The National Atlas of Canada*), regional economic and resource atlases, historical atlases, road and marketing guides, and specialized thematic works covering topics such as climate, vegetation, population, and industry. Key findings reveal a vibrant period of cartographic activity driven by government agencies, university geography departments, and commercial publishers. These atlases serve a wide range of purposes—from academic teaching aids and land-use planning to business decision-making and public education. The survey underscores the atlas’s continuing role as a vital synthesis of spatial information during a decade marked by notable advancements in thematic cartography and multidisciplinary resource documentation.
This study examines the cartographic representation techniques employed in the socio‑economic maps of the English edition of the National Atlas of India, with a focus on 1 : 6 million thematic plates covering agriculture, livestock, industry, commerce, finance, economy and social conditions. The paper first outlines the challenges of collecting and processing vast, multi‑source statistical data, often requiring special requisitions down to sub‑district level to avoid over‑generalisation. The core of the work discusses a range of mapping methods trialled and refined for this scale. The traditional dot method, with dots placed only on arable land, proved effective for crop area and production, while proportional circles divided into coloured sectors represented industrial labour force composition across location groups. Proportional squares were introduced for urban population, offering visual variety but necessitating larger‑scale insets to resolve congestion. In livestock market and fair maps, a combination of circles and squares allowed clear distinction between market types. Semi‑circles sharing a common baseline were used to compare variables such as production capacity versus actual output or filtered versus unfiltered water supply. For highly diversified chemical and pharmaceutical data, a multi‑symbol system—sectors, circles, and squares—was carefully scaled to minimise overlap while retaining legibility. Where quantitative values were not dominant, realistic pictorial symbols and photographically reduced house‑type models were adopted for handicrafts and rural dwellings, enhancing accessibility for the general reader. The paper demonstrates that flexible, multi‑symbol approaches can convey complex spatial data effectively at small scales, and that careful placement and grouping are essential to maintain clarity while presenting an integrated picture of the nation’s socio‑economic landscape.
This paper examines the first national atlas of Cuba, published in Spanish and Russian to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Revolution. Commissioned in 1965 by the Cuban Academy of Sciences through a joint Cuban-Soviet initiative, the atlas is analyzed not merely as a cartographic product but as a political document embedded in the ideology of the post‑1959 socialist state. The study uses descriptive content analysis to assess the atlas’s structure, thematic coverage, data sources, and rhetorical framing. The volume comprises 102 map pages and 29 pages of text, with topics ranging from physical geography and natural resources to economy, population, education, health, and historical narrative. Most socioeconomic data refer to 1965–1966, while the textual sections and introductory remarks explicitly frame the work as a homage to the revolutionary transformation of Cuba from a “pseudo-republic” to a sovereign socialist state. The analysis finds that despite this ideological framing, cartographic evidence of revolutionary achievements remains limited: the only direct spatial representation of post‑revolutionary economic progress is an inset map detailing new industrial installations completed, under construction, or expanded between 1959 and 1967. Other maps, such as those of land use, industry, and transport, do not visually convey the asserted systemic transformation. The paper concludes that the atlas, while a monumental undertaking, functions more as a symbolic political artifact than as a comprehensive geographic portrait, reflecting the inherent tension between scientific cartography and state‑sponsored propaganda goals during the Cold War era.
By Dean, William G.; Matthews, Geoffrey J.; Hare, F. Kenneth; Gerlach, Arch C.·
This paper presents a critical review of *The National Atlas of the United States*, a landmark cartographic achievement compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey under the editorship of Arch C. Gerlach. The review systematically examines the atlas’s organizational structure, thematic content, cartographic design, and technical production, while also reflecting on the broader purpose of national atlases. Methodologically, the authors evaluate each major section, with particular attention to the economic maps, which introduce analytical innovations such as juxtaposing distribution maps with production and sales values. Key findings indicate that while the atlas excels in physical and technical design—demonstrating skillful color blending, diverse page layouts, and fine linework—it suffers from thematic imbalances and a lack of logical coherence among sections. The economic portion, though largest, overemphasizes agriculture, contains misleading business maps, and fails to offer a comprehensive synthesis of the national economy. Minor printing flaws, such as dust spots and streaky impressions, also detract from an otherwise polished production. The review concludes that the atlas, like its predecessors, functions more as a ceremonial monument than as an instrument for socioeconomic planning, reflecting geographic conservatism and bureaucratic compromise. Nevertheless, it remains a visually compelling and indispensable reference for professional geographers, with strengths and weaknesses mirroring the discipline itself.
Atlas du Tchad, jointly published by the Institut National Tchadien pour les Sciences Humaines and the Institut Géographique National under the direction of Jean Cabot and Christian Bouquet, provides a comprehensive cartographic overview of Chad. This reference work comprises 34 plates presenting the most recent data on the country's physical, human, and economic geography. The atlas positions Chad within Africa and the world, depicts its administrative divisions and transport networks, and offers detailed physical maps covering orohydrography, geology, pedology, and hydrogeology of Chad's portion of the Central African basin. Climatic dynamics, seasonal variations, and vegetation are illustrated through expressive thematic plates. The human geography section features archaeological sites, a detailed linguistic groups map, and population distribution as of 1968. Large-scale plates portray typical agricultural landscapes, including dry farming, lowland cultivation, and polders. Economic maps cover agricultural production, fisheries, cotton cultivation, livestock, industrial activities, and foreign trade. The final section presents city plans of Fort-Lamy, Fort-Archambault, Moundou, and Abéché, together with social and cultural infrastructure and tourism assets. Three medium-scale regional maps detail the Lake Chad area, Ouaddaï, and the cotton-growing zone. Designed primarily for the nation’s administrative and development personnel, the atlas also serves as an invaluable resource for researchers seeking documentation on Chad.
This paper describes the creation and content of the National Atlas of Cuba, a collaborative project between the Cuban Institute of Geography and the Soviet Institute of Geography under their respective Academies of Sciences. The atlas project was initiated in April 1965 by the Institute of Geography in Havana under the direction of chief editor Antonio Núñez Jimenez, also president of the Cuban Academy of Sciences. The Cuban institute coordinated research efforts across 40 participating institutions, while Soviet cartographers served as consultants for editorial and compilation work. The resulting volume spans 144 pages, featuring 105 color maps, 23 pages of explanatory text, and a seven-page index of geographical names. The maps are categorized into general, physical, agricultural, industrial, cultural, historical, and population themes, with approximately half devoted to the natural features of the Cuban archipelago. A notable emphasis throughout the atlas is the comparison of pre- and post-revolutionary statistical data. The publication, priced at about $15, represents a significant cartographic synthesis. An English translation was issued by the U.S. Joint Publications Research Service as *Translations on Latin America, No. 525* (JPRS 53167), making the work accessible to a broader audience. This atlas stands as an important resource for geographical, historical, and socio-economic analysis of Cuba.
This paper provides a critical survey of a comprehensive cartographic collection focused on the Caribbean region. The maps, generally employing direct equivalent conic projections, are predominantly at a scale of 1:1,500,000, while climatic maps often appear at smaller scales (1:2,500,000 to 1:5,000,000). Certain thematic maps—relief, tectonic, and climatic—cover the entire Caribbean area. Through descriptive-analytical methods, the study examines the collection’s thematic diversity, interdisciplinary synthesis, and cartographic quality. The analysis reveals that over half of the maps are physical, exceptionally illustrating natural conditions and resources, and frequently combining data from multiple disciplines to offer remarkable geographic insight. Highlighted are original and practical maps: relief, geological (with cross-sections), tectonic and epicenter, geomorphological (distinguishing plains, hills, and mountains), karst phenomena, coastal landforms, slope, relief dissection, and drainage. Soil maps reflect diverse typological, genetic, and applied perspectives. Climatic maps are enriched by seasonal, evaporation, synoptic, and hurricane charts. A fine vegetation map is accompanied by a fauna map, and marine maps complete the portrait of the island environment. The human geography maps are equally instructive, portraying socio-economic and cultural dimensions. The collection’s meticulous design and capacity to synthesize complex geographic information render it an invaluable resource for regional planning, environmental management, and research. The survey concludes that such integrated mapping efforts significantly deepen understanding of island environments and human-environment interactions.
This paper presents a critical review of the *Atlas of Madagascar*, a detailed geographical work organized into seven thematic sections: physical geography, human and rural geography, resources and industrial activities, transportation and communications, diverse infrastructure, and regional synthesis. The reviewer examined a specific copy that contained 62 plates and 106 pages of commentary. By cross-referencing with the master list of plates, it was discovered that seven plates—including the fifth plate on public secondary and higher education—and some accompanying comments were missing. The atlas is acknowledged for its overall meticulous compilation and its significant utility for researchers, planners, and anyone with an interest in Madagascar. Nevertheless, the review notes an overly optimistic tone in certain sections, which may affect the objectivity of the information presented. The review concludes by expressing a strong hope for the imminent publication of a fully complete second edition, which would rectify the omissions and possibly moderate the excessively positive assessments. The review is authored by M. Urbain-Faublée.
The National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970, was the first comprehensive cartographic work of its kind in Latin America, produced jointly by the Institutes of Geography of the Cuban and Soviet Academies of Sciences. This paper outlines its conception, content, and the experience gained during its preparation. The atlas comprises about 170 maps organized into eight thematic series: introductory, natural conditions and resources, agriculture, industry, transport and external economic links, population, health care, education and culture, and history. It synthesizes extensive data from collaborative field surveys and existing sources, presenting new scientific findings on geology, geomorphology, climate, soils, oceanography, and economic activities. Particular emphasis is placed on applied maps for resource assessment, agricultural planning, and infrastructure development. Social and political maps highlight the achievements of the Cuban Revolution in education, public health, and national sovereignty. Drawing on this project, the authors argue that a true national atlas is defined not by thematic breadth alone but by its designated function as a tool for national development planning, rational resource use, and the deployment of productive forces. The concept requires flexibility in structure and content to reflect each country’s unique natural and socio-economic conditions and the uneven state of territorial knowledge. The Cuban Atlas exemplifies this approach, demonstrating the importance of national atlases for both practical governance and the advancement of geographical science, particularly in developing regions.
This paper provides a critical review of national atlas development, prompted by the publication of the *National Atlas of the United States of America*. Through a comparative analysis of the U.S. Atlas with other major national and international atlases—such as the *International Atlas*, the *Atlas of Israel*, and loose-leaf examples from Spain, Australia, and Canada—the study examines evolving definitions, cartographic design, content selection, and physical format. Key findings highlight the U.S. Atlas’s exceptional thematic coverage of economic, demographic, and socio-cultural data, aided by transparent overlays for cross-referencing, but note shortcomings in reference map scales (1:2,000,000 for the mainland) and the omission of relief, which prioritizes legibility over depicting settlement-environment relationships. The paper critiques the overemphasis on administrative boundaries and ephemeral mapping indices, questioning their necessity in a permanent bound volume. The debate between firm binding and loose-leaf formats is explored, advocating a hybrid solution: a bound volume for stable reference and physical maps, and a flexible second volume for rapidly changing economic and urban data. Cartographic weaknesses in the rendering of historical exploration routes are also identified. Ultimately, the U.S. Atlas is welcomed as a long-awaited foundational reference, yet its appearance underscores the lack of a comparable *National Atlas of Britain*. The paper concludes by urging renewed official support to produce a national atlas of the United Kingdom by 1975, leveraging institutional reorganization and newly available census data.
This review assesses The National Atlas of the United States of America, a monumental 765‑map cartographic work produced through collaboration among 84 federal agencies, state bodies, universities, and individual scholars. The atlas was designed to serve as a scholarly reference, a government decision‑making tool, and a showcase of national cartographic excellence. It is organized into reference, thematic, and international‑connectivity sections within a refined page format employing three gray tones. The reference section centers on a new 1:2,000,000 map in 22 sheets, displaying extensive place names, transportation networks, and land holdings; however, the reviewer finds it overly utilitarian and lacking relief depiction. The thematic section is celebrated as an unprecedented compilation of physical, economic, social, and political maps at scales of 1:7,500,000, 1:17,000,000, and 1:34,000,000, enhanced by six plastic overlays for user‑controlled information. While the overall cartography, typography, and color registration are excellent, several maps exhibit weaknesses: conflicting dot‑choropleth symbolization obscures data, harsh color juxtapositions create visual strain, and minor registration slippage appears on sample series reproductions. The review concludes that, despite these flaws, the atlas represents one of the finest national atlases ever published, exceeding established standards and earning the gratitude of both the scholarly community and the general public.
This review examines the English edition of the comprehensive Atlas of Israel, originally published in Hebrew a decade earlier. The paper evaluates the atlas’s scope, cartographic quality, and content organization. It highlights the atlas’s detailed treatment of the land’s physical geography—including geology, climate, hydrology, and land use—and human geography, covering population, settlement, agriculture, industry, and culture. Special attention is given to the atlas’s innovative use of color and symbol variation to depict dynamic processes such as agricultural development and the settlement patterns of both Jews and Arabs. The review commends the work as immensely informative and splendidly produced. However, it identifies significant omissions: the absence of any map for the British Mandate period (1918–1948) and the lack of a pre‑1967 border depiction with Syria, despite the political relevance of the demilitarized zones. Additionally, the inclusion of transient subjects like tourism and trivial cultural indicators (cinemas, swimming pools) is questioned for an academic atlas. The review concludes that while the atlas represents a remarkable scholarly achievement, its selective historical coverage and some superfluous content detract from its objective completeness.
This review essay evaluates three recent geographical and planning publications. The first part discusses a thematic atlas of Japan (1970) by R. Isida, published by the International Society for Educational Information, and Martin Schwind’s “Das Japanische Inselreich,” Vol. I (1967). It highlights the persistent language barrier that limits foreign geographical research on Japan, and praises the atlas for providing English, French, and Spanish explanatory texts alongside 73 detailed thematic maps covering physical, economic, and social features, thus offering a much-needed reliable cartographic reference for Western readers. The second part reviews a Danish National Planning Committee Secretariat publication (1970) on land use planning status and future perspectives. It outlines Denmark’s rapid post-1945 transformation from a rural to an industrialized, urbanized society, the resulting challenges such as agricultural decline, industrial growth, urbanization, vacation home expansion, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution, and the difficulties of integrating national, regional, and local plans amidst financial and political constraints. The third part examines Leo Deuel’s “Flights into Yesterday” (1969), a history of aerial archaeology, tracing its technological development over a century and methodological roots of fifty years, while highlighting the pioneering individuals who used aerial observation in the Middle East during World War I and beyond to reveal archaeological landscapes. Collectively, the reviews underscore the importance of accurate spatial information, integrated planning, and innovative methods in understanding and managing dynamic cultural and physical environments.
This paper reviews the National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Revolution. Prepared collaboratively by the Cuban and Soviet Academies of Sciences, the atlas features high-quality cartography and provides a comprehensive inventory of Cuba’s physical geography, much neglected by previous governments. The second half addresses post-revolutionary human geography, including land use, state agriculture, industrialization, trade, population, education, health, and history. Map analysis reveals that sugar continues to dominate the economy, with only minor changes such as three new bulk-loading ports. Large estates were transformed into state farms, concentrating private landholdings in the west. Industrialization, though spatially decentralized, suffered from overambitious early plans and import dependence, leading to a scaled-down program after 1963. Trade reliance shifted from the United States to the Soviet bloc, with no mention of an earlier failed diversification attempt. Demographic data for 1967, although uncited, show population growth and internal migration, but the atlas lacks post-revolutionary social structure details. Education achievements are notable: the 1961 literacy campaign reduced illiteracy from 25% to under 4%, and the numbers of schools and teachers roughly doubled and trebled, respectively. Health improvements include expanded rural polyclinics, yet one-third of doctors emigrated and the patient-to-doctor ratio likely deteriorated. The atlas spatially documents many social advances but omits critical analysis of economic dependency, income redistribution, or unconventional policies. Ultimately, it stands as a monument to revolutionary achievements, constrained by its exclusive focus on mappable variables and reflecting the Soviet imprint on Cuban affairs.
This review evaluates the climatic section of *The National Atlas of the United States*, a comprehensive government publication. Climate maps occupy 24 of its 335 map pages, covering solar radiation, sunshine, precipitation, temperature, pressure and winds, air pollution, and storms. Most maps rely on 1931–1960 climatological normals, though some employ shorter or inconsistent periods. A novel feature is the pressure‑wind map, which combines mean sea‑level isobars with 16‑point wind roses and resultant wind vectors; however, the 30‑year pressure normals are paired with only 10 years of wind data. The review notes that the maps are visually effective and well‑drawn, yet several climatic elements are missing: cloudiness, fog, hail, glaze, drought, reduced visibility, and year‑to‑year variability. The deliberate omission of a climatic regions map is explained by a lack of reliable large‑scale classifications. Comparison with earlier climatic atlases shows that while the new work is lavish, a cheaper black‑and‑white predecessor may suffice for purely climatic purposes. The review concludes that a second edition should fill the documented gaps, incorporate variability, and adopt a loose‑leaf format to improve flexibility and eliminate distortion at page folds. Overall, the atlas remains a welcome addition to U.S. climate documentation.
This review assesses the *Atlas of Japan — Physical, Economical and Social* (1970), compiled by the International Society for Educational Information with a grant from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The atlas was designed to present an accurate picture of Japan to an international readership. It contains 73 map plates at scales ranging from 1:4,000,000 to 1:10,000,000, accompanied by 64 pages of explanatory notes in English, French, and Spanish. The maps cover physical geography (16 plates), urban and population topics (11), agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and land use (19), mining and manufacturing (17), trade (2), transportation (3), culture and education (2), and single plates on income, national parks, and Japan and its surroundings. The editor-in-chief was Ryujiro Ishida, with contributions from numerous specialists and data sourced from government agencies.
The review praises the atlas's orthodox and straightforward editorial style, careful selection and treatment of source materials, and superior reproduction quality compared to earlier commercial atlases. A particularly notable strength is the extensive multilingual commentary that not only explains individual maps but also provides detailed historical context, explicitly clarifying Japan's official stance on territorial issues such as the Northern Territories — an approach that contrasts favorably with the ambiguous treatment by other publishers. While the overall balance of map themes and scales is deemed appropriate for the aim of presenting Japan's reality fairly, minor shortcomings are noted: some plates (e.g., Manufacturing Plants, Road Traffic) are overly detailed for their scales, while others (e.g., Fishing Grounds) appear too coarse. In conclusion, the review affirms that in the absence of a national atlas, this volume successfully serves as a quasi-national atlas for overseas audiences, making a valuable contribution to global understanding of Japan.
The writer examines six recent Canadian Atlases, the 1958 Atlas of Canada and five provincial atlases, and comments upon some of the patterns, trends and principles that may be observed from their study. The effects of the original aims and purposes of these atlases and the effect of government policy upon them is considered, and it is observed that they may be regarded as pedagogical works organized in accordance with the methodology of geography. It is concluded that the recommendations of the IGU Commission on National Atlases have had an important influence upon each of these publications.
With the recent publication of the Economic Atlas of Ontario,[*1] the Atlas of Saskatchewan[*2] and the Atlas of Alberta[*3] and the earlier appearance of the British Columbia Atlas of Resources[*4] and the Economic Atlas of Manitoba[*5] much of Canada is now “covered” with provincial atlases. This is in addition to the coverage of the whole country which is embraced in the Atlas of Canada 1958.[*6] No other State appears to have undergone such “Atlas treatment” and it may therefore be useful to the Commission to consider some of the patterns, trends and principles which can be detected through a critical examination of these six volumes.
At this point it is as well to recall that the provincial atlases are not necessarily regional atlases in the usual, geographical, sense of the word “region”. The provinces are indeed political regions but they are otherwise often far from being “geographical regions”. British Columbia comes closest to being so as it embraces almost all of the southern part of the Cordilleran region of Canada. However, the political regions have, over the years, developed other kinds of regional homogeneity, and to this extent the provincial atlases can be said to reflect regional differences.
The obvious superficial difference between the six atlases is that the volumes vary in size[*7] and weight, the Canadian and Ontario atlases being the heaviest. It is clear that the atlases were not produced within an overall, coordinated plan and this is even more evident when one examines the scales and projections of the maps. The Atlas of Canada was so designed that the “open-page size should be large enough to accommodate a map of the whole of Canada on a scale of 1:10,000,000 according to the Lambert Conformal Conic projection, with 49° and 77° as the standard parallels, with a polyconic projection superimposed above 80°N latitude.”[*8] Other
Dr. Nicholson is Senior Professor of Geography in the Department of Geography at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Presented at the IGU 7th Plenary Session of the Commission on National Atlases.
maps in the atlas were to be on scales that were simple multiples of 1:10 M—1:50 M; 1:20 M; 1:5 M; 1:2.5 M and, in one instance, 1:1 M. Saskatchewan’s atlas scales cannot easily be compared with these, the most common being 1:4.5 M; 1:6 M and 1:9 M. The scale of the maps of the Alberta atlas on a double page is 1:20 M, and on a single page 1:3,300,000. The Ontario atlas does not use the representative fraction or the numerical method of expressing scale. When it shows any scale at all, it is linear (graphic) and is expressed in miles to the inch, the most common being 20 miles to 1 inch (approx. 1:1.25 M). The Manitoba method is similar, its full-page maps being on a scale of 40 miles to 1 inch (approx. 1:2.5 M). Before considering other differences it might be useful to endeavour to account for the underlying reasons for them.
Professor Klawe, among others, exposed a fundamental question when he reminded the 20th International Geographical Congress in London that today, in spite of automation, completed atlases require at least twenty to twenty-five times as many people as were required in the days of Ortelius and Mercator,[*9] and that “the pattern of atlas-making is taking on the characteristics of an industrial undertaking involving market research, strict production planning and control, publication timing, financial problems, advertising, etc.”[*10]
The magnitude of the resources required can be considered as made up of two things—time (or manpower) and money. For large reference atlases of the type to which national and regional atlases usually belong, both time and money are needed in larger amounts than are normally required for the production of less specialized works. The British Columbia atlas took more than two years to produce and more than 100 persons were employed, the Ontario atlas at least eight years, the Alberta atlas six; and the Canada atlas ten years. Indeed, the financial aid and support of the Government of Ontario was so great that the editor of the Ontario atlas likened it to the “royal favour” of Tudor England.[*11] National and regional atlases of the type considered by this Commission can either never be economically self-sustaining or the risks involved in endeavouring to make them so are too great to be acceptable to most commercial firms. Thus, their production and publication must be activities in which government or non-profit organizations must be involved. In Canada this has meant government and university with particular emphasis on the former, especially as Canadian universities are heavily dependent on government funds.
THE EFFECT OF AIM AND PURPOSE
This means that the philosophy behind the production of the national and regional atlases has to some extent been affected by the policy of the government of the province concerned or the federal government (in the case of the Atlas of Canada). But if it is accepted that the political regions have developed other kinds of regional homogeneity over the years, then the differences in provincial government policies, in many senses, reflect differences in regional geography. These, in turn, are reflected in the purposes of the provincial atlases.
From this point of view there is no doubt that the national government could take a wider view of purpose than provincial governments. Thus the purpose of the national atlas “is to present in maps an outline of the physical background and the economic development of the nation at mid-century, and to show how these factors are interwoven to produce the fabric of the life of our people.”[*12] The purpose of the Ontario atlas, however, was to provide “potential for developing the coordinated attack required for research into the complex areas of provincial opportunities and problems.”[*13] The Atlas of Alberta, it is hoped “will prove invaluable as a reference for the citizens of that Province in schools, homes and offices, and equally valuable to all those outside of Alberta who entertain an interest in the Province.”[*14] The Atlas of Saskatchewan which seems to have been less dependent upon the provincial government, simply states that its aim is “to portray the geography of the Province of Saskatchewan,”[*15]
These slightly differing purposes provide the explanation for the differing approaches to the contents of each volume. For the Atlas of Canada, for example, the decision was made that the geographical approach to the subject matter would be mainly topical, rather than regional, because “the atlas was to be national in character and, in any case, it was expected that the various provinces of Canada would produce their own atlases which would, at least to a certain degree, be regional atlases.”[*16] This coincided with the recommendations made for national atlases by Salichtchev[*17] a few years later. The Ontario atlas departs most widely from this ideal scheme. It deliberately sets out to map only those interacting spatial elements which comprise the economic geography of the province. Thus, it has no maps solely devoted to any of the physical elements, yet very few of them are not represented. For example, the only map showing relief is entitled “Air Bases”! There is a map of landforms but it is in the Agricultural section, and is one of several of the plate entitled “Physiography”. Climatic data is likewise related to the maps of some economic activity such as aspects of outdoor recreation.
The contents of the atlases clearly reflect the different purposes or aims of the volumes. But even if the purposes were the same, true regional atlases are not usually national atlases in miniature. Rado and Bereezy made this point at the 21st International Geographical Congress in New Delhi. National and regional atlases “cannot be substitutes for one another, but they complement each other.”[*18] It is generally true that the Atlas of Canada and the Economic Atlas of Ontario do indeed complement each other insofar as the contents of each is concerned. But some of the other provincial atlases come close to following the format recommended for national atlases. This occurs when their purpose most closely corresponds with that of national atlases. The Saskatchewan atlas is an example of this and is reminiscent of the atlases of some of the Soviet republics.[*19] Like national atlases, regional atlases of this type, frequently stress some feature or set of featureswhich are peculiar to the area. As Stamp pointed out when reviewing the Atlas of Canada, a reader of Canadiana “is likely to be interested in the distribution of the larger mammals, and so it is they which appear on distribution maps; an area of special interest is the Sudbury ore-field and it is given a special map.”[*20] Both Saskatchewan and Alberta include significant sections on water resources, a matter with which the people of these provinces are always preoccupied as their southern parts are so near to being semi-arid. Whether by accident or design it is notable that these maps follow closely the report of the Working Group of this Commission on Maps of Water Resources.[*21] The Manitoba atlas similarly emphasizes agriculture, “despite the greater contribution of manufacturing to the Provincial economy in terms of gross income, an emphasis justified by its greater areal extent and larger labour force,”[*22]
THE PEDAGOGICAL COMPONENT
As education in Canada is exclusively a provincial responsibility and as the largest part of the provincial income is usually devoted to education, all the provincial atlases have an educational component in their aims. Indeed, it was reported to this Commission in 1962 that “the prime purpose of the provincial atlases may be seen as being pedagogical but with subsidiary promotional and scholarly purposes. We may, therefore, classify them as pedagogical atlases organized in accordance with the methodology of geography. The conformity to the methodology of geography is an important qualification, for one may presume that, by virtue of this conformity, the atlases obtain a content in excess of, and to a degree independent of, the needs of existing curricula, and thereby obtain a rational basis for expansion, as conditions may warrant. Indeed the treatment of agriculture in the Atlas of Manitoba goes well beyond most pedagogical needs, and the atlas may be considered as transitional towards a regional atlas.”[*23] The Ontario atlas also goes beyond what might normally be considered as pedagogical needs, not so much for its subject matter as its techniques of analysing and presenting that subject matter. In this respect, therefore, it also advances the methodology of geography in addition to the advances in the nature of regional atlases which derived from its stated purposes.
Earlier conclusions with regard to pedagogical purposes presented to the Commission in 1962 were based in part on the inclusion of texts and photographs. Of the three provincial atlases which have appeared since then, Saskatchewan’s is the only one which makes extensive use of textual information, Alberta’s much less so and Ontario's hardly at all. It was also suggested earlier that “if the atlases are considered to have a textbook function, this would amply justify the duplication of material that appears in the national atlas.”[*24] Once again, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario makes less and less use of the material that appeared in the national atlas. Hence on both counts, that is the use of texts and photographs and the duplication of material in the national atlas, it may be concluded that Ontario comes closest to the ideal “regional atlas”.
In their communication to this Commission in Budapest, Nicholson and Fremlin suggested at least five characteristics of a regional atlas in a hierarchical system of atlases.[*25] It is evident that the Saskatchewan and Alberta atlases while not having all of these characteristics have no fewer than the provincial atlases which preceded them. It is also equally evident that the Ontario atlas comes close to having them all.
Consequently, our prediction of 1962, that the rationale of a hierarchy of atlases will become apparent.[*26] has been partially fulfilled. The reasons for incomplete fulfillment have also been discussed. It would seem then that the Commission might do well to consider the reasons for similar imperfections in similar hierarchies. One other conclusion is also inescapable — it is simply that the work of the Commission has, in the case of Canada at least, not been in vain. While the recommendations have not been followed in every detail, on close analysis of the atlases discussed, the general influence is evident.
RESUME. L’auteur examine six récents atlas canadiens, soit les atlas de 1958 du Canada et cinq atlas provinciaux, et commente certains aspects et tendances qui peuvent être relevés dans certains examens. Les objectifs originaux et l’effet de résultat politique est remarqué, il est aussi observé qu’ils peuvent être considérés comme travaux pédagogiques, organisés d’après la méthodologie de géographie. Il est conclu que les recommandations de IGU, Commission des Atlas Nationales, ont eu une influence importante sur chacune de ces publications.
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG. Der Verfasser untersucht sechs neuere kanadische Atlanten, den Atlas of Canada von 1958 und fünf Provinzialatlanten, und bespricht einige Stile, Richtungen und Grundgedanken, die aus dieser Studie entnommen werden können. Er betrachtet die Auswirkungen des ursprünglichen Zwecks und Ziels der Atlanten sowie den Einfluss offizieller Politik und bemerkt, dass man die Atlanten als pädagogische Werke ansehen kann, die in Übereinstimmung mit der geographischen Methodik aufgebaut sind. Der Verfasser kommt zu dem Schluss, dass die Empfehlungen der IGU-Kommission für Nationalatlanten einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf jede einzelne dieser Veröffentlichungen hatten.
RESUMEN. El autor examina seis Atlas Canadienses recientes: el Atlas de Canada de 1958 y cinco atlas provinciales, comentando sobre algunos de los patrones, tendencias y principios que pueden observarse al estudiar cada uno de ellos. Se toman en consideración los efectos de los objetivos y propósitos originales de estos atlas y el efecto de la política oficial sobre ellos y se observa que se les puede considerar como obras pedagógicas, organizadas de acuerdo con la metodología geográfica. Se concluye que las recomendaciones de la Comisión sobre Atlas Nacionales de la UGI ha tenido una influencia importante sobre cada una de estas publicaciones.
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Notes
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[*1] Economic Atlas of Ontario. Edited by W. G. Dean: cartographer G. J. Mathews. University of Toronto Press, 1969.
[*2] Atlas of Saskatchewan. Edited by J. Howard Richards: cartographic editor, K. I. Fung. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, 1969.
[*3] Atlas of Alberta, Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta, Edmonton, 1969.
[*4] British Columbia Atlas of Resources. Edited by J. D. Chapman and D. B. Lewis: cartographic editors, A. L. Farley and R. I. Ruggles. British Columbia Natural Resources Conference, Department of Lands and Forests, Victoria, B.C., 1956.
[*5] Economic Atlas of Manitoba. Edited by T. R. Weir. Department of Commerce, Winnipeg, 1960.
[*6] Atlas of Canada. Edited by N. L. Nicholson. Geographical Branch, Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, Ottawa, 1959.
[*7] British Columbia 22 x 17 inches
Manitoba 22¼ x 16 inches
Alberta 17 x 13 inches
Ontario 17¼ x 13 inches
Canada 20¾ x 15¼ inches
Saskatchewan 13¼ x 9¾ inches
[*8] Nicholson, N. L. Some elements in the development of the National Atlas of Canada, Geog. Bulletin, 16, 1961, p. 47.
[*9] Klawe, Janusz J. Atlas production management in Abstracts of Papers, 20th International Geographical Congress, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd., London, 1964, pp. 42-43.
[*10] Klawe, Janusz J. The limits of Editorial Freedom in School Atlases, ibid., p. 43.
[*11] W. G. Dean in the Preface to the Economic Atlas of Ontario.
[*12] The Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys in his introduction to the Atlas of Canada.
[*13] The Ontario Minister of Economics at the reception to introduce the Economic Atlas of Ontario.
[*14] The Premier of Alberta in the Preface to the Atlas of Alberta.
[*15] J. Howard Richards in the Foreword to the Atlas of Saskatchewan.
[*16] Nicholson, N. L. loc. cit.
[*17] Salichtchev, K. A. Atlas Nationaux, Academie des Sciences de l’URSS, Moscow, 1960, pp. 140-147.
[*18] Rado, Sandor and Odon Bereczy, Interdependence of National and Regional Atlases in Abstracts of papers, 21st International Geographical Congress, Sree Saraswaty Press Ltd., Calcutta, 1968, p. 383.
[*19] See, for example, Kosoleva, M. A. and A. S. Chartchenko, The National Atlas of the Ukrainian S. S. R. in Abstracts of papers, 21st International Geographical Congress, p. 381.
[*20] Stamp, L. D. Atlas of Canada in The Geographical Journal, Vol. CXXVI, June 1960, p. 242.
[*21] Report of the Working Group on Maps of Water Resources in the National and Regional Complex Atlases in Abstracts of papers, 21st International Geographical Congress, p. 379.
[*22] Humphrys, G. Economic Atlas of Manitoba in The Geographical Journal, Vol. CXXVIIIL, June 1962, pp. 242-243.
[*23] Proceedings of the Plenary Session of the Commission on National Atlases, Geodetic and Cartographic Society, Budapest, 1962, p. 166.
[*24] Ibid.
[*25] Ibid., p. 164.
[*26] Ibid., p. 167.
This paper critically examines the 1967 *Atlas of Tanzania*, which replaced the 1957 *Atlas of Tanganyika* and was publicly framed as a tool for development planning. Through a comparative analysis of the atlas’s content, format, and stated objectives, the study evaluates whether it fulfills its claimed purpose. The atlas retains the costly, high-quality production and multicolored cartography of its predecessor, yet its physical size is unsuited to both classroom display and field portability. While it introduces new maps on potential land use, fisheries, and antiquities, and improves soils‑and‑agriculture coverage, notable omissions compromise its planning utility: the transparent population overlay is removed, and no dedicated communications map exists despite the sector’s large share of the development budget. The paper argues that there is little evidence of rigorous thinking about content relevant to planners—such as regional disparities in productivity ratios, malnutrition‑linked labour constraints, school enrolment proportions, interregional goods flows, road standards and seasonal impassability, or sectoral infrastructure maps—or about a format sensible for a resource‑poor country that would permit easy updating. It acknowledges that some of these data needs are being met by other duplicating‑style research outputs, but the atlas ignores them. The review attributes these gaps to a weak conventional conception of atlas content and the prohibitive expense of such cartographic quality, and suggests that the 1967 atlas will likely be the last of its kind. The paper underscores the growing imperative for developing nations to align geographic products more closely with tangible development planning requirements.
This article presents a comprehensive review of the second edition (1969) of the *Geographical Atlas of Colombia*, published by the Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute with contributions from several Colombian institutions. The purpose is to evaluate the atlas’s thematic coverage, cartographic methods, and overall contribution to geographic knowledge of the country. The review systematically examines its sections: cosmography, physical geography, historical cartography, population and culture, economy, transport, and regional maps. The atlas contains 169 maps, city plans, and extensive illustrative material, continuing Colombia's rich cartographic tradition. Strengths include detailed climate maps, insightful reproductions of historical maps, effective population distribution cartograms, and high-quality general geographic and departmental maps. However, notable weaknesses are identified: the absence of geomorphological and hydrological maps; overly schematic soil and ecological representations; incomplete coverage of economic topics such as trade, finance, and tourism; a lack of quantitative indicators on many maps (e.g., river characteristics, port traffic); and occasional design errors. The economy section remains underdeveloped relative to other parts. Despite these shortcomings, the atlas provides a clear and accessible overview of Colombia’s history, physical environment, population, and culture in a visually appealing format. It is concluded to hold significant cultural-educational and scientific value, serving as a fundamental reference work for understanding the country’s geography.
National atlases are gaining increasing global attention due to their unparalleled ability to present a comprehensive overview of a country's natural environment, society, and economy. This paper focuses on a hydrogeological and hydrogeographic map included in the national atlas of the United States. The map systematically depicts the distribution of productive water-bearing rocks and aquifers, integrating hydrological and geological information to reveal the nation's groundwater resources. The research purpose is to demonstrate how such thematic atlas maps can effectively communicate complex subsurface water conditions. Through the localized presentation of aquifer lithology and hydrogeological settings, the map identifies key groundwater reservoirs and their geographic extent. The cartographic methods employed combine extensive field data, borehole logs, and regional geological surveys to accurately delineate aquifer boundaries and productivity. Key findings highlight the spatial variability of productive aquifers, ranging from unconsolidated sediments to fractured bedrock, and underscore the significance of these resources for agriculture, industry, and domestic supply. The map also implicitly conveys the vulnerability of certain aquifers to overexploitation and contamination. The conclusion emphasizes that nationally coordinated atlas mapping of hydrogeological features provides essential baseline information for sustainable water management, land-use planning, and environmental protection. Such maps serve as decision-support tools, enabling policymakers and researchers to assess resource availability and identify areas requiring conservation or further investigation. The work illustrates the enduring value of national atlases in synthesizing multidisciplinary data into accessible visual formats.
This paper presents the compilation of the Development Atlas of the Republic, an ongoing project led by the Department of Planning. The atlas is designed to supply enterprises and planners across diverse fields with spatial and statistical information on regional development potential. It is produced as a loose‑leaf collection of colour maps (22 by 19 inches) accompanied by descriptive text, tables and figures, and a hard binding cover is available. The format allows users to purchase only the sections of interest and supports future supplementation of data through replaceable or insertable leaves. Several thematic sections have already been completed to a high standard and are obtainable from the Government Printer. Given its modest pricing and flexible design, the atlas constitutes a valuable reference resource for progressive organisations. The paper concludes that this comprehensive, updatable information tool can meaningfully support decision‑making in development planning, investment location analysis and infrastructure policy.
This paper presents a critical review of the National Atlas of India with the objective of identifying thematic gaps and recommending the inclusion of additional cartographic materials. The current edition of the atlas comprises 79 maps at varying scales and 21 insets, covering a broad range of physical, demographic, economic, and cultural themes. Through a systematic evaluation of the atlas content, the study identifies underrepresented subject areas that would enhance the atlas's comprehensiveness and utility for planning, education, and research. As a result, ten new thematic maps and four illustrative sketches are proposed. These additions are designed to address emerging socio-economic and environmental contexts, including topics such as climate change vulnerability, urbanization patterns, linguistic diversity, and renewable energy potential. The suggested maps and sketches are intended to supplement existing coverage without redundancy, ensuring that the atlas remains a relevant and authoritative reference document. The paper concludes that periodic revision and expansion of national atlases are necessary to reflect dynamic national realities, and the proposed inclusions represent a substantive enhancement to India's cartographic heritage.
This paper discusses the cartographic techniques employed in the compilation of socio-economic maps at 1:6,000,000 for the National Atlas of India. The primary objective is to evaluate symbolization strategies that effectively communicate diverse socio-economic data. The study describes a series of design innovations: while the traditional dot method was retained for agricultural distributions due to its proven effectiveness, proportional circles on thematic maps were largely replaced by proportional squares (e.g., urban population). For maps requiring two interrelated variables, a combination of circles and squares proved effective, as demonstrated on livestock market and fair maps. To represent manufacturing production concentrated in specific belts, proportional sectors of circles with distinct colours were used to depict multiple industrial commodities at a single location. Where production data were expressed in multiple measurement units, proportional squares and circles were concurrently combined with sectors; when no more than two products per location, coloured semicircles were found more effective. For occurrence-based themes, pictorial symbols resembling the actual features replaced conventional geometric markers, and symbols were conveniently aligned near sites when multiple features co-occurred. A critical analysis of the overall representational effect of these techniques is attempted, highlighting that these tailored symbol choices significantly enhance the clarity and analytical value of complex socio-economic maps.
This paper presents the report of the International Geographical Union (IGU) Working Group on National Atlases, comprising members from the USSR, Australia, and Spain. Its primary objective is to formulate recommendations for the standardization and compilation of water resource maps in national and regional complex atlases. Following a preliminary programme presented in Paris in 1966, the research was conducted at the Geography Department of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR. Through a comprehensive analysis of over 100 atlases published worldwide, the Working Group recommends that an independent “Hydrology” section be incorporated, consisting of five essential maps: (1) surface water resources, (2) groundwater resources, (3) water use and water consumption, (4) present economic water balance, and (5) future economic water balance. These maps capture the most critical aspects of water resources and their utilization. Depending on a country’s specific conditions, supplementary maps may be added, while related thematic information such as precipitation, evaporation, runoff, and hydrogeological conditions can be placed in other atlas sections. Standard legends for the recommended maps have been developed based on materials from the mountainous areas of Armenia. The work underscores the value of international collaboration in establishing cartographic standards for integrated resource atlases.
The Atlas de Colômbia, published in October 1967 by the Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute in collaboration with numerous public and private entities, offers a vast compilation of geographic information on the country. This review examines the atlas’s structure, cartographic quality, and thematic content. The volume assembles approximately 150 maps, plans, diagrams, photographs, and drawings at various scales, representing a major effort to systematize existing cartographic studies. However, the compilation results in significant heterogeneity: modern, detailed maps coexist with antiquated, generalized representations, and inconsistencies appear in colors, lettering, and symbols. The work is organized into three broad sectors—didactic (cosmography, astronomy, general physical geography, cartography), historical (extensive collection of old maps), and geographic (physical, human, and economic maps at national and departmental levels). Physical geography maps are particularly strong, with geology, relief, temperature variation according to altitude, soils, erosion, and ecology (following Holdridge’s classification) well represented and providing valuable insight into Colombia’s natural framework. In contrast, human and economic maps, despite covering many themes, tend to be superficial, merely showing the distribution of products and crops without conveying spatial organization. Exceptions include maps of population distribution, living-standard differentials (based on Lebret’s criteria), and geo-economic regions with attraction centers by Guhl, which attempt a more dynamic interpretation. The atlas thus reflects a transitional stage between the traditional descriptive, enumerative atlas and the modern dynamic, interpretative one. It mirrors a stage of economic development where natural conditions still heavily condition human organization, and constitutes a tangible advance in Colombia’s geographic knowledge.
This paper critically reviews the first volume of a planned two-volume atlas of Brazil. The atlas is organized into five thematic chapters: political-administrative (51 sheets, supplemented by two landscape maps), physical environment (geology, morphology, climatology, biogeography on 11 maps), demography (six sheets), economy (the most extensive, 22 sheets covering agriculture, industry, trade, and transport), and sociocultural statistics (six map groups). Maps are presented at scales of 1:12,500,000 or 1:32,000,000, indicated only by scale bars. The base map is consistent except for the political map, which deviates in certain border details. A restrained four‑color palette with carefully selected tones and fine screening produces an elegant visual effect. Supplementary statistical tables, graphs, and cross‑sections accompany the main maps, while the reverse sides provide extensive text credited to both author and cartographer. Cartographic methods are largely conventional but are skillfully matched to each topic. The review notes minor thematic imbalances: some sheets appear sparse, others overcrowded, and certain representations are sketchy. Overall, despite a somewhat limited number of sheets for comprehensively depicting Brazil, the volume is considered a praiseworthy cartographic work. The reviewer expresses keen anticipation for the forthcoming regional second part.
This paper discusses the planning, design, and utility of the National Atlas of the United States, an official government publication that compiles comprehensive thematic and reference maps depicting the country’s physical, historical, economic, social, and administrative patterns. To ensure practical problem-solving value and scientific accuracy, the U.S. Geological Survey reviewed existing national atlases, consulted expert cartographers, and conducted a survey of over 8,000 potential users, yielding more than 7,700 responses. Results confirmed high anticipated utility across all major sections—general reference, physical, historical, economic, socio-political, administrative, index of map and chart coverage, and world relationships—and a broad intention to purchase. The atlas comprises approximately 500 pages, including a 1:2,000,000-scale general reference map series, maps of 26 urban areas, and about 350 pages of thematic maps covering topics such as administrative divisions, karst areas, land surface forms, population characteristics, and educational institutions. A detailed index of over 40,000 place names with geographic coordinates offers computerized locational data. Numerous applications are illustrated, from risk assessment in insurance and economic development planning to market analysis and educational reference, demonstrating the atlas’s multi-sector relevance. The paper also outlines production challenges related to paper, binding, and index compilation. The National Atlas is scheduled for decadal revisions aligned with the census, with individual sheets updated as new data emerge, and it is seen as a milestone in national cartographic reference, bridging current needs with future digital capabilities.
This notice from the Rhodesiana Society communicates two primary items: the arrangement of the Society’s next Annual Dinner and a special book offer for members. The Annual Dinner is scheduled to take place in Bulawayo on 1st November, 1968, a date aligned with the city’s 75th anniversary celebrations of its occupation, allowing visiting members to participate in the commemorative events. In addition, the Committee has secured discounted rates for two publications about Rhodesia. The first, *Great Spaces Washed with Sun: Rhodesia*, is a 192-page non-political pictorial volume produced by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes of Rhodesia, profusely illustrated in colour and black-and-white, depicting the country’s landscapes, peoples, and daily life. Its normal price of 22s. 6d. is reduced to 19s. 6d. for members, inclusive of sales tax and delivery. The second, *Rhodesia: Its Natural Resources and Economic Development, 1965*, is described as the nation’s first and only atlas, a large-format (17″ x 15″) work with meticulously crafted maps and expert-written supplementary articles covering agriculture, climate, geology, population, topography, transport, and other facets of national life. Members may purchase this atlas at a 25% discount: £2 7s. 3d. delivered within Rhodesia, or £2 10s. 6d. overseas, down from the published £3 3s. Orders must be sent to the Hon. Secretary, with cheques or postal orders payable to M. O. Collins Ltd.; sterling cheques are accepted from overseas members. The notice seeks to inform members of both the forthcoming social event and the time-limited opportunity to acquire these specialized reference works.
This paper presents a critical review of the 1966 Atlas of the Republic of Chile, a collaborative work between the Military Geographic Institute and the University of Chile. The atlas is organized into three parts: “Antecedentes” with astronomical and political maps; “Mapas Físicos”, a 14-sheet physical map series at 1:1,000,000 employing a modified polyconic projection and adapted hypsometric tints (green extended to the 1000 m contour) to capture Chile’s elongated relief; and 15 thematic maps at 1:4,530,000 covering physical, demographic, and economic themes. The review praises the physical map section for its topographic detail and carefully selected photographs but recommends adding a small-scale hypsometric synthesis map. The thematic maps, while valuable as an initial geographic portrait, are criticized for omitting a regional division map and a vegetation map, and for demographic density symbology that fails to convey clear spatial patterns. The introductory section is judged overly diagrammatic and lacking historical cartographic depth. The paper concludes that the atlas demonstrates serious cartographic and geographic competence, and urges the Institute to move toward the elaboration of a comprehensive National Atlas of Chile, building on this successful collaborative foundation.
This paper reviews the *Atlas Nacional do Brasil*, published in 1966, situating it within the context of national atlases. The atlas adopts standards recommended by the International Geographical Union to facilitate international data comparison, thereby contributing a massive block of territory to continental and world thematic mapping. Organized into five sections (Political-Administrative, Physical, Demographic, Economic, Socio-Cultural) with 50 map plates, it employs a standard polyconic projection at 1:12,500,000, leaving space for legends, data tables, and insets. The verso of each map provides supplementary analytical texts or statistical tables. Examples such as the road network map (IV-14) and hospital distribution map (V-4) illustrate the atlas’s layered integration of graphic, tabular, and cartographic information. The loose-leaf binding allows expansion and replacement of outdated sheets. The author praises the Conselho Nacional de Geografia for producing a valuable research and reference tool at minimal cost and in a short time, serving both national and international users. Minor shortcomings are noted: some topics need larger-scale treatment (e.g., double-page spreads), ocean colors lack uniformity, and the binding’s exposed screw-clamps are impractical. The review concludes that the primary future task lies in updating existing maps and adding new ones to cover additional characteristics, aspiring to an even more substantial work.
This paper advocates the preparation of a comprehensive national atlas for Ethiopia, arguing its critical role in economic and social development planning. Drawing on the experience of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on National Atlases and recognizing the data limitations typical of many developing countries, the author presents a detailed conceptual framework. The proposed atlas is structured into six major thematic sections—physical, demographic, economic, social, political, and historical—comprising approximately 100 maps. Emphasis is placed on the physical environment (relief, geology, soils, climate, hydrology, flora and fauna), population characteristics, economic activities (including agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, and transportation), socio-cultural services, historical cartographic records, and Ethiopia’s international relations. Technical recommendations address unified scales (1:4–8 million for general maps, 1:1 million for regional maps, 1:25,000 for cities), standardized color schemes, loose‑sheet format for easy revision, and transparent overlays for comparative analysis. The atlas is designed to serve as both a long‑term documentary record and a practical tool for sustainable development, even where statistical data are scarce. The paper concludes that the atlas must be a cooperative national effort, guided by an editorial board within the Mapping & Geography Institute, with a strict timetable and distributed publication of individual sheets to maintain timeliness.
This paper provides a critical review of the *Atlas of the Georgian SSR* (1964), a major cartographic work containing over 220 maps and edited by the Vakhushti Institute of Geography. The study systematically examines the atlas’s thematic structure, cartographic design, and scientific accuracy, with particular attention to its physical-geographic section. Organized into seven groups—physical, geology‑geophysics‑geomorphology (31 maps), climate and agroclimate (over 60), hydrology (19), soils‑vegetation‑fauna (21), and landscape‑physiographic regionalization—the atlas is praised for its comprehensiveness and originality. The geological and climatic map series are especially strong, featuring innovative seismic, paleogeographic, speleological, and agroclimatic maps that vividly convey Georgia’s mountainous environment. Despite these merits, several shortcomings are identified. Nomenclatural inconsistencies appear: the Lesser Caucasus is omitted from the physical map; ranges are often labelled by Georgian rather than internationally recognized names (e.g., Meskhetian instead of Adzhar‑Imeretinsky). The term “Marine Plateau” is applied to a folded low‑mountain area, contradicting established geomorphological usage. Climate and soil maps fail to delineate the dry subtropical zone in eastern Georgia, misclassifying these areas. Temporal inconsistencies between the maps of Quaternary deposits and relief age are also noted. These critiques do not detract from the atlas’s overall excellence. It is judged superior to other Soviet‑era republican atlases in thematic breadth and cartographic finesse, and it remains a major contribution to geographical science and regional planning.
This paper reviews the first Soviet comprehensive atlas of a capitalist country—the *Atlas of the United States*. Created through collaboration among the Main Administration of Geodesy and Cartography (GUGK), several research institutes, and Moscow State University’s Faculty of Geography, the atlas involved over fifty specialists. It presents detailed thematic maps of population distribution and density, industry, agriculture, transportation, external economic relations, unemployment, and immigration, drawing primarily on U.S. statistical sources from 1962–1964. The analysis highlights the atlas’s innovative cartographic approaches, such as displaying urbanized areas, differentiating rural farm and non-farm population, depicting freight flows on a uniform scale, and using concentric rings for industrial centers. At the same time, the paper identifies notable shortcomings: the absence of cultural, historical, and larger-scale city maps (only New York and Washington are represented), ambiguous classification of transport machinery and aviation-rocket industries, incomplete structural data for some economic regions, and insufficient representation of low-density population areas. Recommendations for future editions include incorporating typological city maps, distinguishing between aviation and rocket manufacturing, and ensuring greater consistency in data presentation. Overall, the atlas is assessed as a substantial and well-executed contribution to economic cartography, combining academic depth with accessibility. It effectively serves educational and research purposes and provides a valuable model for the preparation of regional atlases in the future.
This paper examines how national atlases serve as indicators of scientific and economic change, using Canada’s three federal atlases (1906, 1915, and 1957) as a case study. By analyzing the subject matter coverage, methods of cartographic presentation, organizational order, and language policies across these editions, the study reveals the evolution of geographic knowledge, data availability, and national priorities. The 1906 and 1915 atlases focused heavily on physical geography, transportation, and population, but largely omitted economic activities, relying extensively on statistical diagrams rather than spatial maps. The 1957 edition significantly expanded coverage to include economic activities such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, while also incorporating advances in soils, flora, fauna, and glaciology. Cartographic presentation shifted from diagram-dependent formats to precise spatial distributions, reflecting improved survey techniques and data collection. The sequential study of these atlases demonstrates how each volume records the state of geographic science and the cartographic arts at its time, while also exposing knowledge gaps that can guide future research. Language policy evolved from English-only in early editions to bilingual English-French production in 1957, mirroring Canada’s developing biculturalism. The author concludes that national atlases, if produced in a continuing series, can function akin to a periodic census—providing a systematic, updatable record of national development and serving as a foundation for long-term geographical planning and institutional continuity.
Lors de l'achèvement de l'Atlas national sous forme de feuillets mobiles en 1961, le Comité de l'atlas national, établi par l'Académie nationale des sciences, a recommandé de confier au Geological Survey des États-Unis la tâche de publier un nouvel atlas. Un groupe de techniciens a commencé le travail en 1963 par la préparation de schémas de cartes et des cartes de base, et a établi des contacts avec les organismes fédéraux, les associations professionnelles, les universités, les sociétés commerciales de cartographie, et les spécialistes. Quoique bien des organismes et de nombreuses personnes doivent contribuer à la préparation du nouvel atlas, le Geological Survey des États-Unis aura seule la charge de l'édition, en vue d'assurer l'uniformité du style et du format. L'atlas comprendra environ 400 planches, dont 40 contiendront des cartes spéciales aux échelles de 1:7,500,000, de 1:17,000,000 et de 1:34,000,000 traitant des caractères physiques, de l'histoire, des conditions économiques et sociales, des réalisations dans l'enseignement et des divisions administratives. On prévoit que cet atlas sera terminé en 1967.
This article reviews the *National Atlas of China* (5 volumes, 1960–1963), edited by Dr. Chang Chi-yun. The atlas comprises five volumes covering Taiwan, the Central Asian frontier, North China (including Northwest China), South China (Central, South, and Southwest China), and a general atlas with an index of 25,000 entries. The principal scales are 1:13,000,000 and 1:17,500,000, while for China proper (Volumes 3 and 4) the base scale is 1:2,000,000, with exceptions such as 1:2,500,000 for South and Southwest China and 1:4,000,000 for Hainan Island. Volume 1 (Taiwan) employs large-scale maps, predominantly at 1:200,000 and 1:100,000, and Volume 2 uses relatively smaller scales for frontier regions. Each volume features political and topographic maps; Volumes 1, 2, and 5 also include four thematic maps, while Volumes 3 and 4 add several major-city maps. Administrative divisions follow those promulgated in 1947, with no subsequent revisions, and place-name romanization adheres to the Wade–Giles system. The atlas is compared with the earlier *New Atlas of China* (1934), highlighting its more detailed and up-to-date data, particularly for border areas and Taiwan, whose large-scale maps provide an accessible overview and comparison of physical, human, and economic conditions. The compilers extensively consult recent works by mainland Chinese geographers, reflecting the post-WWII advancement of geographical research on China. This cartographic compilation stands as an important academic reference and a significant milestone in modern Chinese geography.
Chinese cartography boasts a long tradition of producing national atlases. This paper traces the development of China’s major national atlases, from the 1718 I T’ung Yü T’u (Atlas of the Empire), compiled with Jesuit-assisted geodetic surveys, through the widely used 1934 Chunghua Minkuo Hsin Ti-t’u (New Atlas of the Chinese Republic) issued by the Shun Pao newspaper, to the post‑World War II atlas directed by Professor Chang Chi‑yun. The focus rests on Chang’s atlas, which embodies the official Nationalist Chinese geopolitical stance on territorial boundaries. Cartographic and documentary analysis reveals that the atlas upholds Nationalist claims over Outer Mongolia and Tannu Urianhai (Tuva), rejects the MacMahon Line as the Sino‑Indian border, and does not recognize the administrative divisions established by the People’s Republic of China. It employs variable map scales for western regions and supplies paired political and topographic maps for each province. Notable features include 57 maps of Taiwan, a major languages map, and a map of the Hainan Special Administration District that extends Nationalist jurisdiction across a large portion of the South China Sea down to 4°N. The study concludes that while the atlas is an invaluable historical record of Nationalist China’s territorial assertions, its political orientation limits its utility for analyzing the geography of present‑day China.
This paper examines the unique cartographic and editorial challenges encountered in producing the first Hebrew edition of the Atlas of Israel (1964), a comprehensive work comprising 102 sheets and 720 large-scale maps. Although modeled on other national atlases, the Israeli atlas diverged significantly due to three primary factors: the country's rapid demographic and cultural transformations, its distinctive geographical position and elongated shape, and the uneven reliability of its documentary base. The most influential factor was the dramatic 600% population increase over two generations, which drove extreme changes in agriculture, economy, communication, and services. To capture this dynamism, the atlas employs time-sequence map series for most topics rather than single static representations, and includes supplementary maps to update content. Geographically, Israel's location on the arid zone boundary creates sharp north-south contrasts, with highly diverse physical, human, and economic elements in the north versus a monotonous south, compounded by varied topography over small altitude ranges. These spatial characteristics demanded specialized cartographic solutions. Finally, the area's political history under Ottoman, British, and Israeli administrations within 50 years resulted in data that differ greatly in coverage and reliability. The paper details how these interrelated problems shaped the atlas's content, design, and production.
This paper presents a critical review of the *Atlas of the Azerbaijan SSR* (1963), a comprehensive scientific reference work compiled under the Institute of Geography of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences. The analysis systematically examines the atlas’s structure, thematic coverage, and cartographic methods, comparing it with other Soviet regional atlases, especially the *Atlas of the Armenian SSR*. The atlas comprises 210 maps organized into sections on natural conditions (53 %), economy (36 %), and culture and history (11 %), offering an integrated portrait of the republic’s physical geography, population, industry, agriculture, transport, and cultural development. Several cartographic innovations are highlighted, such as maps of structural regionalization, atmospheric circulation types, soil erosion intensity, mudflow dynamics, and a dedicated section on the Caspian Sea that functions as a miniature thematic atlas. The review identifies both strengths and shortcomings. On the positive side, the atlas features rich content, extensive graphic supplements, high printing quality, and up-to-date scientific data. Deficiencies include logical inconsistencies in map sequencing, an inadequate treatment of population (administrative averages obscuring actual settlement patterns, absence of city typologies and recent growth dynamics), missing agricultural productivity and agrometeorological maps, and a binding order dictated by format rather than logic. Despite these flaws, the atlas is judged a successful and valuable contribution to Soviet cartography, reflecting advanced research and a thorough understanding of Azerbaijan’s natural and socio-economic conditions.
By Aslanikashvili, A. F.; Baghdasaryan, A. B.; Rustamov, S. G.·
This paper presents a comparative overview of the national atlases of the Armenian, Azerbaijan, and Georgian Soviet Socialist Republics, published in the early 1960s. The atlases were issued in large print runs in both the national languages and Russian. The physical dimensions and shapes of the republics determined the principal map scales: 1:1,000,000 and 1:1,500,000 for Armenia, and 1:1,500,000 and 1:2,500,000 for Azerbaijan and Georgia. These factors also influenced the binding formats – an album-type for Armenia and book-type for the others. While the thematic content generally follows the recommendations of the 1960 publication *Atlas nationaux*, each atlas incorporates additional maps that reflect the specific natural and socio-economic features of the respective republic. A quantitative breakdown of map sections is provided: Armenia contains 143 maps (introductory 2, natural conditions 74, population 6, national economy 45, cultural/public health 6, historical 10); Azerbaijan contains 177 maps (introductory 6, natural conditions 87, population 2, national economy 66, cultural 7, historical 9); Georgia contains 168 maps (introductory 3, natural conditions 95, population 9, national economy 39, cultural 12, historical 10). Percentages relative to total map volume show a clear emphasis on natural conditions maps across all three atlases (approx. 49–57%). In addition to their scientific and reference value, the atlases possess distinct practical utility and include explanatory texts for each map section. Their compilation marks a definitive stage in the geographical study of the Transcaucasian republics and establishes a foundation for producing a general Transcaucasia Atlas, and subsequently a comprehensive Atlas of the Caucasus.
The author reviews work on atlases of Soviet republics and oblasts published in 1961-64, containing maps on physical geography, population, economy and culture. He finds that these atlases suffer from a lack of practical purposefulness and inadequate coordination. These weaknesses are to be remedied in a new coordinated project of natural-resource atlases of the major republics and economic regions of the USSR initiated in 1963.)
This paper describes the preparation and content of the National Atlas of India, overseen by the National Atlas Organization under the Ministry of Scientific Research and Culture. In March 1961, a special advisory board chaired by a deputy minister was formed to guide the Indian government on atlas-related matters, including the standardization of geographical name transcriptions. A coordination committee was also established to accelerate map production and printing. The organization operates from two main centers in Kolkata and Dehradun, employing 126 technicians and 38 administrative staff, supplemented by university students. A key challenge is the scarcity of adequate statistical data on industry, agriculture, and land use; to address this, district-level information centers were set up to collect authentic data. However, weak coordination with central institutions such as the Survey of India, Geological Survey, and Meteorological Survey remains problematic. The atlas features maps at scales ranging from 1:1,000,000 to 1:20,000,000, with page dimensions of 57 × 41 cm (double-page 75 × 56 cm). It is divided into three parts: Part I contains general and physical maps (administrative, geological, climatic, hydrological, pedological, and biogeographical maps); Part II includes economic and demographic maps (population, transport, agriculture, industry, and economic regions); Part III presents social and historical maps (education, culture, languages, health, age structure, political divisions, and historical boundaries). In total, the atlas comprises 300 sheets—117 economic/demographic, 109 physical, and 74 social/historical. Published in stages, the atlas will substantially enrich knowledge of India.
This paper reports on the institutional framework and progress of national and regional atlas production in India. Two government bodies bear primary responsibility: the National Atlas Organization under the Ministry of Scientific Research & Cultural Affairs prepares the National Atlas of India, while the Office of the Registrar General under the Ministry of Home Affairs oversees regional census atlases. Additionally, the National Council of Applied Economic Research and the Indian Statistical Institute have contributed regional economic atlases, including an atlas of the resources of Mysore (1960) and an Economic Atlas of Madras State (1962). Since the Hindi preliminary edition of the National Atlas in 1957, the National Atlas Organization, with a staff of approximately 175, has been compiling the main English edition. Following the recommendations of the IGU Commission on National Atlases, the 300-map series covers population, physical, administrative, and transport themes. As of the review period, 16 maps had been printed, 55 were in press, and 75 were under compilation. Detailed village-level data are first plotted on one-inch maps and subsequently reduced for publication. Concurrently, regional census atlases are being developed by the Superintendents of Census Operations of various states, directed by the Registrar General. Compilation for Orissa, Bihar, and Rajasthan has reached an advanced stage, while maps for other states—except Mysore and West Bengal—are in various phases of compilation. Close cooperation between the National Atlas Organization and state census offices underpins the entire endeavor, ensuring methodological consistency and comprehensive spatial coverage of India’s demographic and physical landscape.
This paper examines the evolution and contemporary tendencies of regional integrated atlases through a comparative analysis of major publications from Germany, Austria, France, the United States, Canada, and the Soviet Union. The study employs a systematic content assessment, using a comparative table to quantify the thematic composition and balance of atlas sections—nature, population, economy, and culture—across nineteen historical and modern atlases. The analysis reveals that early German regional atlases, such as the Atlas of Pomerania, displayed progressive cartographic techniques alongside politically biased content. The post-war German Federal Republic's Planning Atlas series adopted a unified framework with a pronounced statistical-economic orientation but often neglected the synthesis of natural conditions and lacked internal map consistency. Austrian atlases, exemplified by those of Lower Austria and Salzburg, exhibit a strong local-studies tradition, featuring extensive historical, settlement, and cultural maps, yet they reveal weaknesses in demographic and socio-economic coverage and occasional cartographic shortcomings. More recent atlases from France, North America, and the Soviet Union show increasing practical applications for regional planning and resource management, yet the balance between analytical detail and geographic synthesis remains inconsistent. The paper concludes that regional atlases are increasingly oriented toward practical planning needs, but their development requires greater emphasis on interdisciplinary integration, improved comparability of data across maps, and a more systematic incorporation of natural conditions to support comprehensive territorial analysis.
This paper presents an overview of the planning and production of the new National Atlas of the United States, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey following recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences. The study briefly reviews earlier national atlas initiatives before delineating the purpose, scope, and defining characteristics of the current project. Detailed cartographic specifications are provided and justified, covering map content selection, scale determination, typography, sheet sizes, symbolization, color schemes, paper quality, and binding style. The research incorporates a market analysis based on approximately 8,000 questionnaires, summarizing user preferences and projected demand. Additionally, the paper examines the relationships and distinctions between the National Atlas and existing regional or general-reference atlases, positioning the work within the broader cartographic landscape. A description of the electronic computer methods employed for atlas indexing demonstrates the integration of digital techniques in map production. The paper is illustrated with colored slides that showcase the evolving design of atlas maps and the production progress achieved to date. The findings clarify both the conceptual framework and the practical implementation strategies for a comprehensive national atlas, emphasizing user-informed design and technological innovation.
This paper offers a critical review of two significant geographical works on Uganda published in 1962: the *Atlas of Uganda* and D.N. McMaster’s monograph *A Subsistence Crop Geography of Uganda*. The *Atlas*, compiled in only nine months to coincide with national independence, is assessed for its cartographic design, thematic content, and accompanying texts. Strengths include well-designed maps, instructive cartograms of tribal composition and freight traffic, an effective layer-coloured relief map, and a comprehensive climatic section. However, the review identifies several shortcomings: the misplacement of certain thematic maps (e.g., soils in the flora section), inconsistencies in colonial-era place names, spelling errors in scientific and local names, poor colour choices (green for roads proves indistinct under artificial light), and a lack of correspondence between some maps and their explanatory texts. Omissions of historical sites and incomplete correlation with recent administrative changes are also noted. Despite these flaws, largely attributable to the rushed production, the *Atlas* is regarded as a useful, well-rounded reference work that surpasses earlier regional atlases. McMaster’s monograph, based on a statistical analysis of official crop acreage data, examines the physical and social environment of subsistence agriculture, quantifies cultivated area, and maps food-crop distributions. The review commends the study’s methodological rigour and the author’s frank acknowledgment of data limitations. Together, both works fill a critical gap in East African geographical literature and serve as valuable resources for educators, students, and researchers interested in Uganda’s physical and human landscapes.
This review article examines three recent cartographic publications that together reflect mid-20th-century developments in mapping theory, practice, and institutionalisation. The first section evaluates *Cartographical Progress*, the proceedings of the 1962 Edinburgh Cartographic Symposium. Filling a gap in British cartographic literature, the volume presents papers on land-use classification, the plastic revolution in map reproduction, colour use, automation pressures in photogrammetry, and a mathematical analysis of Hammer–Aitoff projections. Discussions and resolutions advocate the formation of a national cartographic society. The second section reviews the *Atlas of the Union of South Africa* by A. M. and W. J. Talbot, a comprehensive mid-century resource and socio-economic atlas compiled from government and private sources. Though its 598 maps are largely monochrome and some symbolisation limits clarity, the atlas excels in tracing temporal and spatial trends through meticulous data reassembly, demonstrating the analytical power of thematic atlases. The third section summarises André Libault’s *La Cartographie*, a concise introductory volume emphasising the geodetic foundations of mapping and the critical simplification required when reducing from large-scale surveys. Collectively, the three works highlight cartography’s expanding scope from technical reproduction and colour perception to automation, national atlas design, and the philosophical basis of the map as a geodetically controlled schematic document.
This article presents a critical review of recent cartographic publications, evaluated within the framework of "Cartographical Progress." Three contributions are examined. First, a Swiss atlas is assessed for its innovative relief representation method developed by Prof. Ed. Imhof, which combines brown contours, layered tints from olive green to white, and bluish grey shading to achieve a plastic, model-like effect while retaining clarity of labels and detail. The atlas is praised for its educational design, progressing from national to world maps with decreasing scale, though minor errors in British maps and the absence of an index are noted. Second, the newly released Atlas of Uganda is reviewed. Compiled locally by the Department of Lands and Surveys, it features 38 sheets with accompanying notes and photographs. The review highlights its well-judged thematic selection, successful choropleth and ethnic mapping techniques, and inclusion of historical maps showing exploration routes and boundary evolution. It is regarded as the best East African national atlas, affordable and valuable for both geographers and development specialists. Third, two sea‑ice atlases—covering the Soviet Arctic and Arctic Canada—are compared. Both employ a frequency‑chart methodology originating from the Scott Polar Research Institute, using sector diagrams to summarize observations of ice concentration and navigability, alongside tabular summaries. The system enables users to assess data reliability visually, despite requiring initial familiarization. Overall, the article underscores significant advances in atlas design, thematic mapping, and the presentation of environmental data.
This paper critically evaluates a cartographic representation of the May 1960 elections in Congo, arguing that the map’s design fails to adequately convey the political fragmentation and localized nature of electoral support. The author’s primary objective is to highlight a major methodological flaw: while the map depicts numerous parties, it selectively assigns distinct colors only to the largest formations, grouping smaller or locally based parties under broad, visually uniform categories. This approach obscures the true multiplicity of political forces and artificially simplifies a highly complex electoral landscape. Through close examination of the map’s legend and party classification, the analysis reveals an inconsistency in which certain local-interest parties that differ only marginally in seat count are treated differently. For example, PUNA receives individualized treatment while UNIMO does not, despite both having a purely ethnic and regional character. The reviewer contends that the cartographer fails to justify these choices, and that applying a uniform color to mark “affinity” among associated lists—as was done for the PNP—should logically have been extended to individual lists. The key finding is that this arbitrary classification undermines the map’s stated aim of capturing the extreme territorial division of parties and the localized influence of their leaders. Consequently, the map’s capacity to support broader conclusions about regional divergence and the need for adapted institutional structures is severely compromised. The paper concludes that such representational inconsistency constitutes a serious defect, rendering the visualization misleading rather than analytically useful for understanding Congo’s electoral geography.
This announcement presents the publication status and research agenda related to the Chinese National Atlas project. The atlas, a five-volume series edited by Dr. Chi-yun Chang of the Institute of Geography in Taipei, has already released its first three volumes: Volume I on Taiwan, Volume II on Tibet, Sinkiang, and Mongolia, and Volume III on North China. The remaining volumes—Volume IV on South China and Volume V containing general maps of China—are anticipated to be published by October 1962. A distinctive feature of the atlas is that all place names are rendered in both Chinese and English. The editorial office has designated Dr. Jen-hu Chang at the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association Experiment Station in Honolulu as the contact for inquiries from the United States. Beyond the atlas series, the Institute of Geography has outlined several future research endeavors. Once the Chinese National Atlas is complete, work will begin on an atlas of Southeast Asia. Additional projects include a study of water resources and agricultural planning in Taiwan, an assessment of the cultural and natural resources of China, an investigation of urbanization in the Orient, and an analysis of the economic potential of Southeast Asia. This notice thus serves both as a progress report on a major cartographic undertaking and as an outline of the institute’s forthcoming geographic research priorities.
The creation of comprehensive regional atlases is a fundamental challenge in geography and a defining feature of modern cartographic production. This paper reviews the Atlas of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (1961), a bilingual scientific‑reference cartographic work containing 119 pages, with 98 pages of maps and diagrams structured into six thematic sections: introductory, natural conditions, population and culture, economy, and history. The analysis follows the classification of regional complex atlases into scientific‑reference, mass‑reference, and school‑local history types. Although the Atlas is introduced as a scientific‑reference volume, certain limitations—such as strong generalization and a lack of classification criteria on some economic maps—align it more closely with mass‑reference atlases. The physical‑geographic section, occupying nearly half of the maps, is praised for its comprehensive coverage of Armenia’s diverse mountain landscapes, particularly the detailed climatic, agroclimatic, and phenological maps, which show excellent integration of climate data with relief. The population section is considered too modest in volume and misses maps on natural population change and social composition, yet it features valuable historical maps of Armenian settlement revealing tragic demographic consequences. The economic section, comprising one‑third of the Atlas, includes industry, agriculture, and transport maps, with a notably innovative map of the Sevan–Hrazdan irrigation‑energy complex. The agricultural component is thorough, supplemented by numerous graphs and diagrams, though the lack of a general map of farms or total cultivated area is noted. The historical series covering Armenia from the Urartu period to Soviet rule adds significant cultural depth. Despite editorial shortcomings, cartographic errors, and occasional mismatches between map scale and content load, the Atlas fulfills most criteria established for national atlases by the International Geographical Union and stands as a major complex work of considerable scientific, practical, and cultural value.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Atlas of the Armenian SSR, a complex cartographic work of scientific-reference character published to mark the 40th anniversary of Soviet power in Armenia. The research aim is to analyze the atlas’s structure, content, cartographic methodology, and practical significance. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the study examines all sections—physical geography, geology, climate, hydrology, soils, vegetation, population, industry, agriculture, general economics, and history—comprising 182 maps (143 main and 39 supplementary), numerous insets, profiles, and explanatory texts. Key findings highlight the atlas as the second comprehensive national atlas of the USSR and the first relatively large-scale atlas (1:1,000,000) for a mountainous region. Its distinctive features include strong practical orientation (agroclimatic, fenological, engineering-geological maps), complex depiction of interrelated phenomena on single sheets, innovative representation of territorial-production complexes (e.g., the Sevan–Hrazdan energy-irrigation system), and historical depth spanning from the Urartu state to Soviet-era repatriation of Armenians. The bilingual publication (Armenian and Russian) and creation of new Armenian cartographic fonts are also noted. The atlas successfully meets Lenin’s methodological requirements for a Soviet atlas by showing phenomena in their historical development and interconnections. The conclusion affirms that the Atlas of the Armenian SSR is a landmark encyclopedic work, a model for large-scale regional atlases, and a major contribution to Soviet cartography and cultural life.
This paper presents a critical review of the Atlas of the Armenian SSR, a comprehensive geographic atlas compiled by a large team of scholars under the editorial leadership of Prof. A. B. Bagdasaryan. The atlas, comprising 96 map pages, is recognized as an exemplary collaborative work that successfully integrates physical and economic geography. The review highlights the atlas’s strengths: a well-designed section on natural conditions that serves as a physical background for economic maps, detailed economic maps covering industry, agriculture, and transport, and notably, population maps that vividly depict the repatriation of Armenians and the relationship between settlement and altitude. However, the review identifies several methodological and practical shortcomings. Key deficiencies include the lack of transparent indicators underlying classifications on many thematic maps, leading to ambiguous interpretations; excessive generalization on the agricultural specialization map, which uses administrative districts rather than finer territorial units (e.g., collective farms), thereby reducing analytical granularity; inconsistent characterization of agricultural zones across different map sheets; missing essential reference maps, such as a detailed place-name index map; and improper application of choropleth methods, such as mapping absolute values instead of relative indices and depicting investment percentages as if they were relative data. Additional issues involve poor coordination between maps, inaccurate symbolization of forest industries, and cartographic design flaws that cause visual isolation of economic regions. Despite these weaknesses, the atlas is positively assessed as a valuable contribution to complex geographic cartography, and the review emphasizes the importance of learning from these shortcomings for the creation of similar atlases for other regions.
This review examines the *Atlas of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic*, published in 1961 to mark the republic's 40th anniversary. The atlas exemplifies the Soviet school of comprehensive regional atlases, designed to integrally characterize the geographical environment, population, economy, and history. Compiled by a multidisciplinary team from the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR under the editorship of Academician A. B. Bagdasarian, the work comprises six sections: an introductory overview of Armenia’s development and administrative context; maps of natural conditions (geology, tectonics, climate, hydrology, soils, vegetation, wildlife, and physical-geographical regionalization); demographic maps (ethnic composition, density, urban settlement, labor resources, and diaspora); economic maps covering industry, agriculture, and regional economic divisions; and a historical section tracing territorial changes and cultural heritage. The natural environment section, comprising 72 maps on 46 plates, provides a detailed synthesis of Armenia’s mountainous terrain, vertical zonality, seismicity, and arid climate, while demographic and economic maps highlight high natural increase, Soviet-era industrialization, and specialized production (e.g., 90% of USSR volcanic tuff, 50% of mobile power stations). The review notes the atlas’s logical structure, rich cartographic design, and its utility as both a scientific reference and a tool for economic planning. Despite minor shortcomings in the economic-geographic portion, the atlas is commended as a valuable source of knowledge and a model for national atlases, contributing to the broader Soviet program of comprehensive cartographic synthesis for union republics and regions.
The article provides a compendious survey of approximately one hundred regional atlases recently published worldwide. Faced with an overwhelming influx of atlases that underscore the map's role as an indispensable research tool, the author groups these works by continent and country to afford them recognition despite constraints on detailed individual review. The discussion begins with Europe, examining road atlases, historical-geographical works, national planning atlases, climatic atlases, linguistic surveys, and pictorial cultural atlases from countries including Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the Soviet Union. Key features such as scale, thematic organization, cartographic quality, and innovative content (e.g., economic, demographic, climatic, and ethnographic data) are highlighted. The survey notes the role of institutions, the evolution of atlas series, and the integration of explanatory texts. The article concludes by acknowledging the continuing flood of important publications and the inevitability of relying on concise summaries, while expressing regret that limitations of space and expertise preclude exhaustive critique. It also announces a forthcoming companion review of world and special atlases.
This review evaluates the *Atlas of the Armenian SSR* produced by the Armenian Academy of Sciences, a comprehensive cartographic work comprising approximately one hundred maps covering the republic’s 29,800 km² and its population of 1,893,000. The purpose is to assess the atlas’s scope, content, and scholarly utility, while acknowledging its geographical limitations—confined to a small fraction of historical Armenia. The review methodically examines the atlas’s four main sections: physical maps (geology, climate, phenology, hydrography, botany, zoogeography), demographic maps, economic maps, and historical maps. Key findings highlight the atlas’s thoroughness, with maps at scales of 1:1,000,000 to 1:2,000,000, though larger scales for physical maps would have enhanced detail. The economic section is praised for statistical diagrams and projected growth under the 1959–1965 seven-year plan, illustrating rapid industrialization and agricultural expansion, such as vineyards increasing from 9,200 to 26,900 hectares. Demographic maps notably document the transformation of Erevan from a town of 29,500 to a city of 558,000. Historical maps, while less comprehensive than some older standalone maps for classical studies, still illuminate ancient accounts (e.g., Xenophon, Strabo, Plutarch) by correlating climatic extremes with military campaigns. The review concludes that despite the regrettable exclusion of neighboring historical Armenian territories like Nakhidjevan, the atlas is a meticulously executed, technically well-produced resource that will prove invaluable to students of Armenian affairs, economists, sociologists, and geographers, and could serve as a model for similar atlases across the Soviet Union.
This review examines a detailed fascicle of the Atlas Général of the former Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi, elaborating on a 1951 general population density map by Professor Gourou. The section provides an in‑depth treatment of both density and distribution of population for a major administrative province. Three maps at 1:1,000,000 scale form the core contribution. A key map delineates administrative hierarchies down to the smallest unit (groupement). The second map employs a conventional choropleth technique with sixteen carefully chosen density categories, ranging from fewer than 0.3 to over 50 persons per square kilometre; a non‑linear progression highlights contrasts at low densities. Colours from white through blues, greens, yellow and reds to purple give an effective visual impression, with a dasymetric concession for uninhabited zones. Urban centres are shown as vertical prisms scaled to the square root of population. The third map, illustrating distribution, distinguishes ordinary rural settlement (black) from other rural dwellers (red) and uses dot and circle symbols; it reveals a striking concentration along communication routes and a frequent avoidance of larger river corridors. Although the distribution map is praised for clarity and utility, a slight shortcoming is noted: the symbols are not exactly proportional to magnitude. Accompanying statistical tables, bilingual in French and Flemish, supply detailed demographic data down to the smallest census units, including inhabited and uninhabited areas and water surfaces. The work is judged a valuable tool for serious geographical analysis of the region, though ongoing political turmoil in the Congo will necessitate subsequent revisions.
This brief review introduces the newly published *Atlas of Kenya*, the country’s first national atlas, which offers a comprehensive synopsis of its physical and human geography. Compiled, drawn, and printed by the Survey of Kenya under the direction of R. J. Butler and edited by B. A. McArthur-Davis, the first edition appeared in late 1959. The atlas consists of forty-five clearly produced plates that maintain a high standard of cartography. In addition to standard maps of physical and human geography, it presents a wide range of administrative maps. Provincial maps at the scale of 1:1,000,000 are layer-coloured, with communications emphasized and a limited selection of place names. Topical maps at 1:3,000,000 are based on data supplied by government departments and research organizations. For the historical geographer, the atlas includes an interesting series of early map reproductions, notably the 1856 maps by Erhardt and Rebmann, which marked the beginning of the European exploration era in East Africa. The review highlights the atlas’s value as a reference tool for both contemporary geographical studies and historical geography research.
This paper provides a critical review of the first Atlas of Kenya, produced by the Survey of Kenya. The atlas contains 40 fully coloured plates illustrating the country’s physical geography, principal towns, political and administrative divisions, and the distribution of economic assets alongside selected pests and diseases. Supplementary elements include notes on the spelling and pronunciation of place names, five black‑and‑white historical maps, and a gazetteer. Six provincial maps are drawn at 1:1,000,000, while the majority of national thematic maps (except two meteorological charts) employ a scale of 1:3,000,000. The review evaluates cartographic design, commending the excellent colour registration and generally harmonious colour choices, though the strong colour juxtapositions on Plates 10, 12, and 16 are noted as visually jarring. The 1:1,000,000 sheets are praised for clarity, yet the excessive use of vivid red lines for roads—especially on the Nairobi Extra‑Provincial District and Environs map—creates visual clutter. The compilation required extensive research and meticulous editing, reflected in thematic coverage of drainage, geology, soils, tribal and ethnographic patterns, communications, police organization, and exploration. The Exploration map (Plate 34) is highlighted for its exceptional historical research, recording 28 early explorers such as Krapf, Stanley, Thomson, Teleki, Lugard, and Delamere, and serving as a gracious tribute to their legacy. Overall, the atlas represents a remarkable cartographic achievement, balancing rich informational content with considered design, and stands as both a practical reference work and a historical document.
The problems of producing an atlas of Canada that shows the nature, extent and use of the physical resources and their effect on the country’s economy and society are intensified by the great size of the country. its federal political structure, and its bilingual culture. The work of compiling the information was organized by the Geographical Branch in cooperation with other governmental agencies that either produce maps or have source material. As it was impractical to produce a bilingual atlas, separate English and French editions were prepared, the nomenclature in the French edition being based on local usage, and French equivalents used for the geographical terminology. In addition to providing a record of what is known and unknown, the atlas provides a plan for future geographical research, and will be revised as new data become available.
This review examines the new National Atlas of India (63 × 44 cm), published ten years after independence. Despite an unusual format, legends provided only in Hindi (necessitating a separate reference sheet), and occasional shortcomings in printing quality and color choice, the atlas is exceptionally rich in content. The thematic scope covers physical geography (geology, vegetation) and human geography (agriculture, irrigation, language groups, scheduled tribes). Geological and vegetation maps are noted for their clear color schemes, whereas some agricultural dot maps are criticized for visual confusion. The irrigation map effectively highlights regional differences, showing that over 60% of irrigated land is concentrated in eastern deltas and Punjab; the expansion of well irrigation reflects government programs. Maps of fiber crops and plantations use symbols and hachures to differentiate products, providing valuable economic information. The tribal population map, although small, reveals the distribution of non-Hindu groups. Certain data, such as fisheries, are of questionable reliability due to insufficient source material. Overall, this atlas presents India’s immense regional complexity comprehensively for the first time, serving as a treasure trove for researchers and marking a milestone in Indian cartography, despite minor inaccuracies.
This paper presents the rationale and methodology behind the compilation of the "Vegetation Map of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland," produced as Federal Atlas Map No. 10. The primary objective was to create a comprehensive vegetation map for the federal atlas, despite existing gaps in detailed botanical knowledge. A key methodological decision was to adopt the vegetation classification system recommended by the 1956 Yangambi meeting of the Scientific Council for Africa South of the Sahara (C.S.A.), aligning with continental standardization efforts. The map is a compilation based on existing published maps for Southern and Northern Rhodesia, unpublished materials for Nyasaland, and field sketch maps from various regional experts. The classification is visually represented through a combination of colors, indicating a moisture gradient from montane to dry areas, and a system of hatching to denote physiognomic types such as forest, woodland, thicket, and savanna. The paper details the mapped vegetation categories, describing their characteristic species, geographic distribution, and ecological dynamics across the Federation. Key formations include various grasslands, moist and dry forests, deciduous woodlands dominated by genera like *Brachystegia* and *Colophospermum mopane*, and extensive savannas. The authors discuss challenges encountered in applying the Yangambi classification, particularly the ambiguous boundary between savanna and steppe in the region, concluding that true steppe does not occur in the Federation and that mapped formations like *Acacia* savanna are better classified under a broad savanna physiognomic unit.
This paper presents an overview of the National Atlas of Canada, initiated by a 1948 government decision and published in October 1958. The atlas was produced by the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, coordinated by an Interdepartmental Committee, and involved 150 geographers and 25 cartographers. It contains 450 sheets, with primary maps drawn at a scale of 1:10,000,000 using the Lambert conformal conic projection; supplementary maps employ scales ranging from 1:1,000,000 to 1:50,000,000. The page format is 52 × 70 cm.
The atlas is organized into thematic sections. The opening sheets illustrate major expedition routes and reproduce historical maps. A cartographic coverage summary follows, accompanied by examples of modern topographic, aeronautical, and hydrographic charts. The physical-geographic section includes maps of relief (hypsometric), geology, terrestrial magnetism, tides, climate, hydrography, soils, forests, and biogeography. The population section depicts distribution, ethnic origin, religious composition, vital statistics, and marriages. The economic-geographic section covers fisheries, various agricultural branches, energy, forestry, pulp and paper, mining, manufacturing, transportation, and communications. The final section maps public and cultural institutions (hospitals, libraries, museums, universities), land use in the eight largest cities, electoral and census districts, changes to Canada’s borders, and memberships in the British Commonwealth, United Nations, NATO, and the Colombo Plan. The atlas employs a loose-leaf, dismantlable binding, allowing individual sheets to be replaced as updated editions are issued. This comprehensive work stands as a major cartographic synthesis of mid-twentieth-century Canada, designed for long-term maintenance and revision.
This review paper examines and evaluates the new National Atlas of Canada, a landmark cartographic work prepared by the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys and published in 1957. The purpose is to describe the atlas’s historical background, organizational principles, content scope, and technical execution, while offering a critical assessment of its strengths and limitations. The method is a systematic descriptive analysis, highlighting the atlas’s structure, projection (Lambert Conformal Conic with standard parallels 77°N and 49°N), scales (primarily 1:10M and 1:20M), and the wide array of thematic map sequences. Key findings reveal that the atlas is a pioneering and comprehensive portrayal of Canada at mid‑century, integrating physical background with economic and social patterns. It presents historical maps, bathy‑orographical plates, physiographic regions, glacial geology, climatic contrasts, and extensive demographic, agricultural, industrial, and urban maps up to 1957. Innovative features include removable linen‑hinged sheets, a gazetteer on provincial maps, paired urban land‑use and development maps at 1:100,000, and a closing plate highlighting Canada’s international commitments. The commentary notes minor criticisms: the physiographic regionalization is subjective and lacks individual authorship attribution, and the reliance on Köppen’s classification is viewed with some reservation. Nonetheless, the atlas is judged a magnificent achievement, reflecting devoted cooperative labor and setting a high standard for national atlases worldwide. It successfully demonstrates how physical and human factors interweave to produce the fabric of Canadian life.
This paper presents a multi‑part review of recent cartographic publications and a report on a geography excursion. First, it surveys a historical atlas of Saint Petersburg, tracing city plans from 1703 to 1914. It highlights key maps—such as the 1717 de Fer plan, the 1753 Academy of Sciences plan, and the first detailed atlas of 1797 with statistical data—and links cartographic progress to the city’s economic rise: by the late 18th century its port handled over half of Russia’s foreign trade, and by 1914 its 2.2 million inhabitants made it a political and cultural hub. Second, the paper evaluates the *Atlas do Brasil “Globo”* (1953). This national atlas provides a full‑page map for each federal unit, but coverage is uneven; vast, sparsely populated states receive the same space as tiny territories, and maps lack hypsometric shading, showing only drainage and transport networks. Third, it reviews the *Guia Rodoviário e Turístico do Estado de São Paulo* (1955), a road and tourist guide with a 1:1 million map. Finally, the paper describes the first Czech geography excursion to the USSR in 1958—a six‑week visit to Moscow, Kharkov, and Leningrad. Participants studied Moscow’s geography, visited industrial sites and newly discovered gas fields, and donated Czech geographic literature to Moscow State University. The excursion strengthened academic cooperation and political understanding. Overall, the text underscores the historical value of cartographic documents and the significance of international fieldwork in geography.
This paper reviews the Atlas of the Union of South Africa, a landmark cartographic compilation initiated in 1947 by the University of Cape Town's Department of Geography at the request of the Social and Economic Planning Council. The atlas was designed to fill a critical gap in the systematic survey of South Africa's natural resources and the economic activities dependent on them. Unlike a conventional topographic atlas, it comprises over 700 monochrome maps and diagrams derived from official statistical records published between 1910 and 1950, organized into seven thematic sections. The first two sections cover the physical environment—geology, mineral resources, soils, climate, and vegetation—featuring exceptionally clear colored maps at 1:4 million scale and a model black-and-white mineral resources map. The remaining sections address population, agriculture, industry, transport, and external trade, employing dot and symbol distributions on outline base maps with innovative detachable transparent overlays for reference features. Cartographically, the atlas is praised for its high-quality pastel-colored maps and legible designs, although production constraints—limited budgets, drafting capabilities, and the rigidity of cartographic methods—occasionally led to minor presentation issues. Despite these challenges, the atlas succeeds in providing a comprehensive and lucid portrayal of South Africa's resource base, their exploitation, and the nation's economic development. It is intended for a broad audience, not solely geographers, and serves as a notable repository of fundamental data on the country's resources, offering instructive insights for anyone interested in South Africa.
This paper reviews the first edition of the Atlas of Kenya, a landmark cartographic work modeled on the celebrated Atlas of Tanganyika and published at a time of heightened international attention to Kenya. The atlas is commended for its elegant loose‑leaf binding, large format, and high‑quality printing. The core consists of 25 thematic maps at 1:3,000,000 on a standard grey or brown base, displaying key geographical distributions and administrative concerns with attractive overprinting and clear typography. Provincial maps at 1:1,000,000 show communications, settlement, drainage, and relief through contours and layer‑tinting restricted to provincial boundaries, a technique that emphasizes provincial shape but breaks continuity of physical features across borders. Twenty town maps at various scales and a selection of historical maps on buff paper enrich the collection. The review identifies the agricultural and communications maps as overly complex or crowded and suggests simplification. The population map is criticized for using a unit dot value as high as 5000, which fails to capture population structure and racial composition; maps or diagrams illustrating demographic makeup, particularly Kenya’s emerging multi‑racial society, are recommended. Although cost and specialization limit its use in school libraries, the atlas is deemed an indispensable reference for students of Kenyan geography. The Survey of Kenya is warmly congratulated for this outstanding production, and constructive suggestions for future editions are offered.
This paper examines the initial planning and conceptualization of Canada’s first bilingual national atlas, commissioned by the Federal Government in 1948 and produced by the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys. The study traces the institutional context that gave rise to the project, noting that earlier editions from 1906 and 1915 existed only in English and lacked documentation, effectively making this a wholly new undertaking. Because numerous government agencies possessed cartographic data or mapping capabilities, an interdepartmental Atlas Committee was formed to provide guidance. Through analysis of committee deliberations, the paper reveals how fundamental design parameters were established: the atlas’s educational and reference purposes, the sheet size and basic scales, and the decision to adopt a systematic (topical) or regional geographic approach, or both. Considerable attention was given to the bilingual character of Canada, and the committee ultimately resolved that the new atlas should be published in both English and French. The paper shows that while the committee shaped policy and direction, the actual execution—compilation, layout, design, drafting, and liaison with the printer—was vested solely in the Geographical Branch. By detailing these early strategic decisions, the study illuminates how a federal mapping agency negotiated institutional collaboration, linguistic duality, and scholarly tradition to lay the foundation for a landmark national atlas.
This paper presents a bibliographic review of recent cartographic publications issued around the world in the years 1958–1959. The aim is to systematically document newly released maps, atlases, and related cartographic works, thereby providing a concise reference for geographers and map users. The method involves collecting and annotating each item with information about its thematic content, scale, number of sheets, accompanying texts, and institutional provenance. The compilation covers a broad spectrum of cartographic production: land‑use maps of Italy, an anthropogeographic map of Umbria, a comprehensive geographical atlas of the People’s Republic of China (designed to align with middle‑school curricula), climate diagrams of Turkey, a vegetation map of Algeria, and a paleogeographic atlas of North America. It also reports on the progress of geodetic and topographic surveys in Madagascar, the publication of a new map of Antarctica by the National Geographic Society, and an economic‑cartographic atlas of El Salvador illustrating population, agriculture, and industry. Each annotation indicates publication details and often highlights the intended audience. The review demonstrates the vigorous expansion of thematic and regional cartography in the mid‑twentieth century, driven by both national mapping programmes and international scientific cooperation. By consolidating these disparate sources, the paper offers a valuable snapshot of the state of global cartographic coverage and serves as a practical tool for research, education, and planning.
This review examines the Preliminary Hindi Edition of the National Atlas of India (1957), edited by S. P. Chatterjee, a pioneering cartographic project initiated under India’s Second Five‑Year Plan to provide an essential resource inventory for national planning. Produced in just twelve months under severe constraints of trained personnel, the atlas leveraged the printing facilities of the Survey of India. Its 26 large‑format color sheets (30 × 26 inches) are drawn at a uniform scale of 1:5,000,000 and anticipate the national conversion to the metric system by adopting metres, kilometres, hectares and metric tons. While all maps are in Hindi to promote the national language, English translations of map keys and an English‑labelled outline map are provided to ensure international usability. Thematic coverage spans administrative divisions (over 3,000 units), physical relief with flood‑prone areas, climate based on 3,000 station records, geology, forests, cash crops linked to associated industries, livestock related to population density and arable land, transport networks with passenger‑flow and accessibility data, and social features such as literacy and higher‑education sites. The plates often integrate related phenomena innovatively, demonstrating advanced cartographic techniques. Although designated preliminary, the atlas constitutes a clear national overview that complements ongoing detailed land‑use surveys. A larger atlas of over 300 plates is already in preparation. This work stands as a milestone in thematic mapping, successfully blending national aspirations with scientific rigour and practical international utility.
The Canadian Department of Mines and Technical Surveys announces the completion of the new National Atlas of Canada, produced under its auspices. This cartographic work comprises 110 sheets containing 450 individual map representations, collectively offering a comprehensive portrayal of the country. The atlas integrates physical, economic, and social geographic data, employing standardized cartographic methods to ensure consistency and clarity. Key findings reveal a carefully curated selection of themes, including topography, climate, population distribution, natural resources, and transportation networks. Each sheet presents multiple layers of information, enabling cross-referencing and multidimensional analysis. The atlas serves not only as a reference tool for scholars and government planners but also as an educational resource for the general public. Its publication marks a significant milestone in Canadian geography, consolidating fragmented regional data into a unified national overview. The work reflects contemporary cartographic practice and provides a baseline for future geographic studies and policy-making. In conclusion, the new National Atlas of Canada stands as a definitive cartographic statement, enhancing spatial literacy and supporting informed decision-making at multiple levels.
The Atlas of Israel is a national atlas designed to address the distinctive geographical, cartographic, and historical challenges of mapping a small yet highly dynamic country. Given Israel’s limited area (20,700 km²), the atlas employs relatively large scales (1:500,000 to 1:2,000,000) to ensure detailed representation, which demands high accuracy and careful symbol scaling to accommodate concentrated phenomena such as population and industry around Tel Aviv. A core principle is the extensive use of time‑sequence maps to capture the country’s rapid demographic, agricultural, and infrastructural transformations, illustrating the evolution of population, settlements, land use, and climate across multiple historical dates rather than portraying a static picture. The atlas addresses frequent political boundary changes by varying the territorial coverage of maps for different periods. Additional cartographic challenges include representing sharp climatic and topographic contrasts—from Mediterranean landscapes to desert and from the Dead Sea depression to elevated plateaus—through appropriate altitude tints and symbolization. Compiled from diverse sources such as historical records, traveler accounts, statistics, and original research, the atlas comprises fifteen thematic sections spanning cartography, geomorphology, geology, climate, hydrology, biogeography, landscape evolution, history, population, settlement, agriculture, industry and commerce, communications, and services. Published in loose‑leaf format beginning in 1956, the Atlas of Israel provides a continuously updatable, comprehensive geographic portrait, serving as a durable reference that documents the country’s ongoing spatial evolution.
By Brush, John E.; Chatterjee, S. P.; Organisation, The National Atlas·
This review evaluates the first "National Atlas of India," a cartographic milestone produced by the National Atlas Organisation under India's Second Five-Year Plan. The atlas comprises 26 color plates depicting the country's physical, economic, and social landscapes. The assessment examines its cartographic design, thematic scope, and innovations. The atlas adopts Hindi script for titles and legends—with English translations provided—and the metric system, breaking from colonial cartographic traditions. Maps are primarily rendered on Lambert’s conformal conic projection at scales ranging from 1:5,000,000 to 1:60,000,000, supplemented by numerous insets. Major contributions include the first comprehensive administrative map of nearly 2,800 minor civil divisions since 1881, a novel physiographic interpretation, and new thematic maps covering climate, soils (incorporating zonal concepts), forests, cash crops, industries, and transportation. However, certain plates suffer from poor color harmony, notably the rural population map whose density categories are nearly illegible. The atlas omits key demographic themes such as age-sex structure, internal migration, and growth rates, and data mainly span 1950–1956, with some reliance on earlier statistics. Overall, the atlas signifies a pioneering synthesis of Indian geographic data, balancing extensive new compilations with lingering design and content limitations. It inaugurates a larger national atlas project, with the promising English edition underway.
The article reviews the National Atlas of India, published in Hindi in 1957 by the National Atlas Organization under the leadership of Professor S. P. Chatterjee. The atlas contains 95 maps on 26 sheets, with principal scales of 1:5,000,000 and 1:10,000,000, covering physical geography (climate, river networks, mineral resources), agricultural production, industry, transportation, population, education, culture, health and tourism. The analysis highlights several cartographic innovations: mineral maps display both reserves and extraction volumes; crop distribution employs dot and area methods with processing industries located on the same maps; livestock maps present ratios of animals to population and to arable land; an energy map includes even small diesel plants and those under construction; industrial maps use a unified workforce indicator for all branches; the rural population map is based on village-level data, offering unprecedented accuracy; and a map of architectural styles shows the spatial distribution of the country’s cultural heritage. The author praises the atlas for its clarity, rich information, and the use of the national language Hindi, while noting the absence of maps on economic-geographical regionalization and some minor omissions in the industrial and livestock sections. A revised and expanded English edition is in preparation. Overall, the atlas is recognized as a major achievement of Indian cartography and an invaluable resource for scholars studying India’s geography and economy.
This paper presents the history, planning, and production of the new (1958) Atlas of Canada, a milestone in national atlas publishing. It traces the evolution of atlases from Mercator to early single-country collections, emphasizing Canada’s pioneering 1906 and 1915 editions. Recognizing their outdated content and the profound changes in Canada over four decades, the Federal Government launched a new edition in 1948, under the Geographical Branch’s direction. An Interdepartmental Committee defined the atlas’s dual purpose: to depict Canada’s physical resources, their exploitation, and their socio-economic impacts as of 1951, while serving as a historical record. The production process involved creating base maps from a master 1:10,000,000 Lambert Conformal Conic projection, collecting and standardizing heterogeneous data contributed by federal agencies and external experts, and applying rigorous cartographic and artistic standards. The resulting 110 loose-leaf sheets contain 450 maps organized into a coherent geographical narrative: from exploration and early cartography, through physical geography (climate, geology, soils, biogeography), human population, economic activities (agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, transport), to institutional and political landscapes. The loose-leaf binding facilitates individual study and future revision. The paper concludes that national atlases are indispensable tools for comprehending a country’s physical and human interconnections, and expresses the hope that the new Atlas of Canada will stand alongside the world’s great national atlases.
The Atlas of Canada, published by the Federal Government in December 1958, represents a landmark national cartographic reference. This paper traces the atlas’s historical development, from initial proposals in 1905 and the 1915 revised edition, through renewed calls in the 1930s culminating in a 1945 Canadian Social Science Research Council report that recommended federal production. Following a governmental decision, an interdepartmental advisory committee was established, with sub-committees from multiple federal departments and input from provincial and private experts. Planning was completed by 1954. Production began with the creation of base maps employing the Lambert Conformal Conic projection (standard parallels 49° and 77°, modified north of 80°N). Four primary scales were adopted—1:10,000,000, 1:20,000,000, 1:5,000,000, and 1:2,300,000—maintaining simple numerical relationships for national, multi-map, sectional, and regional coverage. Material compilation and cartographic design proceeded until the first sheet went to press in 1956. The atlas’s 110 plates are arranged sequentially to narrate Canada’s internal development and international linkages: early exploration routes and historical maps, contemporary topographic and aeronautical charts, physical geography, human resources, economic resource use, and the spatial distribution of institutions, settlements, and political evolution from colonial times to the mid‑20th century, including international political affiliations. This structure offers a holistic spatial narrative of Canada’s evolving geographical identity.
This paper reviews two major geoscientific publications: the ongoing *National Atlas of Israel* and the first volume of Erich Bruns’ *Ozeanologie* (Oceanology). The Israeli atlas, produced in large‑format fascicles under an expert editorial team, adopts a flexible cartographic design that eschews rigid scale series in favor of scales adapted to each thematic content. It encompasses fifteen sections, with particularly rich treatment of history, cartographic representation, and retrospective economic maps. Noteworthy innovations include a physiographic geomorphology with typological landscape classification, a correlation map combining drainage networks, watersheds and isohyets, biogeographical maps that place Israel within the wider distribution ranges of fauna, and detailed chorochromatic representations of vegetation change in the nineteenth century. Population maps use point symbols distinguishing Jewish and non‑Jewish inhabitants from 1922 to 1953, while settlement classification relies on topographic site types. Traffic intensity and long‑distance taxi isochrones offer an original view of communications. The atlas is published in Hebrew with English title lists; an English edition is planned, and the review regrets the current linguistic barrier.
Bruns’ *Ozeanologie* treats oceanography in a narrow sense—submarine morphology, navigation, sounding methods, and a systematic regional description of the world’s oceans and seas. The first volume incorporates abundant Soviet data on tides, salinity, wave regimes, and the hydrology of Russian Arctic and Far Eastern seas, the Caspian and Aral Seas, and Lake Baikal, making it a valuable regional oceanographic reference for non‑Russian readers. Both works represent significant contributions: the atlas through its integrative, evolutionary approach to national geography, and the treatise through its compilation of otherwise inaccessible data. The paper underscores their scholarly utility while noting the inconvenience of language restrictions in the atlas.
This review introduces the first National Atlas of India (Preliminary Hindi Edition, 1957), a landmark cartographic work prepared under the direction of Professor S. P. Chatterjee of Calcutta University and executed by the Survey of India. The atlas comprises 26 large-format plates, principally at scales of 1:5,000,000 and 1:10,000,000, together with smaller-scale world maps and numerous insets. All thematic maps are printed in color, using color tints and screened overprints to represent multiple layers of information. The Forest and Land Use Map, for example, employs twelve color tints for land categories and overprinted symbols to designate 35 dominant tree species and 11 vegetation types. Hindi titles, legends, and notes are consistently accompanied by English translations, ensuring accessibility for non-Hindi readers. A notable contribution is the Administrative Map, which provides the first comprehensive delineation of India’s minor civil divisions—tehsils, taluks, and thanas—since the 1881 census, with boundaries updated to reflect the 1956 reorganization. The atlas covers a broad thematic spectrum, including physical geography, climate, geology, soils, land use, irrigation, agriculture, livestock, energy, industries, transport, population characteristics, education, health, archaeology, and tourism. Its cartographic excellence, detailed coverage, and bilingual presentation make it an invaluable reference for geographical, socio-economic, and planning studies of India. The atlas is available in standard and popular editions from the Survey of India Publication Office.
In 1949, the Canadian government initiated the production of a new National Atlas to depict the country's economic and physical features, replacing an earlier 1915 edition. An interdepartmental Atlas Committee was formed, encompassing various scientific and professional experts, and subcommittees were tasked with compiling data across domains such as agriculture, climate, transportation, and natural resources. The cartographic design involved rigorous planning of base maps at multiple scales (1:2,500,000 to 1:50,000,000) derived from a master map on a Lambert conformal conic projection with standard parallels at 49° and 77° N, extended by a polyconic projection above 80° N. To ensure clarity, base maps were rendered in neutral grey-violet lines with light blue water, allowing economic and statistical overprints to stand out. A key challenge was color selection; by employing contact screens (dot and line screens of various rulings) and a limited palette of eight colours, over fifty distinguishable tints were achieved while reducing the average number of print runs per sheet to nine. Master negatives on matte plastic facilitated accurate overlays and corrections. The project demanded precise photomechanical procedures, multiple exposures for colour plates, and strict proofing stages to guarantee colour fidelity. Although concurrent with routine topographic mapping, the Atlas production served as advanced training in modern cartographic methods, enabling staff to develop innovative solutions for complex thematic mapping and significantly advancing national atlas cartography.
This paper presents the newly published National Atlas of India in Hindi, marking the completion of the first phase of the National Atlas Project. Compiled by the National Atlas Organization under the Union Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, the atlas prioritizes the depiction of socio-economic and physical distributional patterns over mere toponymy. It consists of 26 loose-leaf multi-colored map plates, facilitating flexible individual study. The primary scale is 1:5 million for 21 maps covering the whole country, supplemented by 16 maps at 1:10 million, 18 at 1:15 million, and 20 at 1:30 million, along with 28 additional maps and insets. Each plate is folded to a page size of 26 by 15 inches, yielding an overall atlas size of approximately 26 by 17 inches. A landmark feature is the first adoption of the metric system in an Indian atlas, with heights in metres, distances in kilometres, areas in hectares, and climatic data in metric units. To ensure international accessibility, English legends, explanatory notes, and a Roman-script place-name list are included. Thematic coverage spans physical relief, drainage, climate, soils, land use, agriculture, livestock, industry, transport, population demographics, education, health, archaeology, and tourist sites, drawing upon the most up-to-date central and state government data. The atlas thus serves as an authoritative, comprehensive geographical reference, available in deluxe and popular editions.
This review examines three notable geographical reference publications. The first, the Atlas of Cuba (1949) by G. Canat, with collaboration from American cartographer E. Raisz, presents the country’s geography across 64 pages. It includes maps on discovery, colonial history, climate, geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation, and demography, using point and choropleth methods, accompanied by diagrams, illustrations, and bilingual (Spanish/English) explanatory texts. Economic topics are covered on 12 maps, while a separate landscape map at 1:1,333,000 employs Raisz’s relief shading. The atlas is well-edited for school use and tourism, though some maps lack a scale bar. The second work, the Census Atlas of El Salvador (1955), published by the Ministry of Economy and the General Directorate of Statistics and Censuses, is among the country’s first comprehensive atlases, spanning 110 pages. It comprises three parts: Central American overview maps (geology, hypsometry, climate, vegetation) at 1:6,500,000 with historical text; El Salvador maps at various scales (1:1,000,000 and 1:475,000) covering physical geography and socio-economic distributions based on the 1950 census, enriched with statistics and diagrams; and monographic city plans at 1:50,000. Shortcomings include loose-leaf binding, absence of scale on some maps, and Spanish-only text, yet it remains an unparalleled resource for students and the public. The third publication is J. Verber’s Bibliography of Physical Limnology 1781–1954, a 57-page compilation of roughly 1600 entries arranged alphabetically by author, with an index structured by subject and lake name. It notably covers works on the American Great Lakes and publications of U.S. military and geological agencies. The bibliography’s clarity is enhanced by its graphic design and detailed cross-referencing, making it a valuable tool for researchers.
This paper presents the first installments of a definitive Atlas of Israel, published by the Department of Surveys of the Ministry of Labour and the Bialik Institute of the Jewish Agency. The atlas adopts a loose-leaf fascicule format (43 × 64 cm) for flexible updating. It covers cartography, physical geography, history, demography, economics, and education. The text is entirely in Hebrew, with an English title page and table of contents, posing an accessibility barrier for non-Hebrew-speaking scholars. The received folders include maps and commentaries on cartography, geomorphology, climate, history, population, agriculture, industry and commerce, and communications. Sections planned on geology, hydrology, botany, zoology, landscape evolution, settlements, and services have not yet been received. Each map sheet bears on its reverse a scholarly essay and a multilingual bibliography. The production and printing quality are excellent. Once complete, the atlas will become an authoritative reference for geographers and other Israel researchers proficient in Hebrew. This review highlights the publication's scholarly rigor and its linguistic limitation.
This issue of "Referate" presents a diverse collection of reviews and reports covering meteorological observation methods, instruments, atmospheric physics, and observational results. It begins with an overview of the International Geophysical Year 1957/58 programme, listing synoptic, aerological, radiation, ozone, and radio‑sounding stations to illustrate the global scope of cooperative research. Several individual reviews follow: Frings demonstrates the climatic, dust, and safety benefits of downward ventilation in mines, supported by extensive measurements and the use of standardized climatic diagrams; Maksić contributes a method for reducing barometric pressure to sea level; and Richter provides a comprehensive introduction to ionizing radiation and measurement techniques, including Geiger‑Müller counters, ionization chambers, and scintillation detectors. Observational results are highlighted by the initial sheets of the Atlas of Israel, with detailed temperature maps for the Middle East and Palestine, and meteorological yearbooks from Colombia. Instrumentation reviews describe a linear temperature‑compensated hot‑wire anemometer for turbulence studies, a direct recording apparatus for radiosonde data, and a mixing hygrostat for sensor calibration. The final section offers a systematic synthesis of the Earth’s atmosphere from the surface to high altitudes, integrating temperature, pressure, density, composition, humidity, winds, and ionospheric properties based on a large compilation of experimental data and contemporary atmospheric models. Together, these contributions provide a valuable cross‑section of mid‑20th‑century meteorological science, emphasizing empirical findings, instrumental progress, and integrative overviews.
This paper advocates for the compilation of a comprehensive national atlas of the People's Republic of China by reviewing successful models from the Soviet Union, France, Czechoslovakia, and Cangtian (possibly Canada). It argues that a meticulously produced national atlas serves dual functions: externally, it promotes a nation's cultural and scientific achievements, and internally, it provides a reliable reference for understanding national conditions, supporting regional planning, and informing policy-making. The study examines the organizational strategies of these exemplars, highlighting that each required central government leadership, extensive collaboration among thousands of scientists and cartographers, and years of sustained effort. Although current human and technical resources in China may not yet allow immediate full-scale compilation, the paper notes that significant progress has already been made in specialized fields such as meteorology, climatology, and geology, with high-quality thematic map drafts awaiting systematic collection and supplementation. The proposed content for China's future national atlas is outlined, comprising four core themes: historical background, physical geographical environment, economic development, and regional economic profiles. The paper further stresses that key issues—including defining the atlas's distinctive features, specifications, map formats, mechanisms for interdisciplinary cooperation, printing, and distribution—must be subjected to rigorous collective discussion. In light of the nationwide surge in economic construction, the paper concludes that a comprehensive "Great Atlas of the People's Republic of China" is urgently needed and calls upon scientists, experts, and relevant authorities to begin concrete deliberations and collaborative action.
This paper presents a comprehensive survey of national atlases produced worldwide up to the late 1950s. The author reviews the development, scope, and cartographic quality of more than two dozen national atlases, with an emphasis on those published after World War II. The study examines atlases across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, analyzing their thematic coverage, scales, symbolic innovations, and accompanying explanatory texts. Key findings highlight the leading role of European countries—particularly Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Sweden—in producing atlases that integrate physical, economic, and social geography with advanced graphic techniques. Outside Europe, emerging national atlas projects in Israel, Morocco, the Congo, Australia, and the United States are documented, though many regions remain underrepresented. The paper underscores the value of national atlases as tools for planning, education, and research, and notes the growing trend of bilingual map legends and summaries to serve international audiences. The survey reveals increasing ambition and scope in national atlas production, mirroring both rising nationalism and the demand for systematic spatial knowledge of individual countries.
This paper comprises a biographical tribute to the historian of cartography Leo Bagrow (1881–1957?) and critical reviews of three contemporary atlases. The first section surveys Bagrow’s scholarly output, from his early bibliographic catalogues of 16th‑century printed maps and his studies of Ptolemy’s Geography to the posthumous publication of his comprehensive *History of Cartography*. It highlights his rigorous methodology: his insistence on consulting original sources, his unerring grasp of cartobibliographical detail, and his pioneering use of collotype facsimiles in the series *Anecdota Cartographica*. The discussion also notes the linguistic obstacle that forced Bagrow to rely on translators, which occasionally affected the final expression of his ideas, and records his deep concern for the continuation of the journal *Imago Mundi*. The second part offers detailed evaluations of the *Atlas du Maroc* (a thematic national atlas covering livestock, railways, and other economic topics), the *Atlas of Resources of British Columbia* (Canada’s first regional planning atlas, combining physical, human, and resource maps with explanatory texts), and the *Edinburgh World Atlas* (an academic reference atlas employing conventional layer coloring for relief). The reviews praise the Maroc atlas for its careful cartographic execution and thematic breadth, note the British Columbia atlas as a commendable model for future regional atlases, and critique the Edinburgh atlas for occasional ambiguous color choices in depression areas. Collectively, the paper affirms Bagrow’s lasting influence on map history while providing a snapshot of mid‑20th‑century atlas production and cartographic design standards.
This paper presents a collection of critical reviews and a bibliographic listing from a cartographic journal. It evaluates four major atlas works and catalogs recent cartographic publications. The Salzburg-Atlas is commended for its vivid, association-rich design and balanced thematic coverage of the Salzburg region, combining 66 map sheets with extensive explanatory text. The catalog of hand-drawn Swedish maps held at Uppsala University Library is described as a carefully compiled inventory of 1,654 items, offering valuable material for historical geography and settlement studies. The Oxford Regional Economic Atlas of the U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe is reviewed as an ambitious first volume in a series, praised for its objective synthesis of physical, economic, and demographic themes despite some shortcomings in relief representation and color choice. The Atlas Général du Congo is highlighted as a comprehensive, rigorously structured work, with 26 published sheets at a constant scale of 1:6,000,000 covering topics from geology and population density to languages, health, and administrative history; its bilingual commentaries and bibliographies make it both an atlas and a regional monograph. The accompanying bibliography lists a variety of new maps, handbooks, and methodological works, reflecting current trends in cartographic production and research. Collectively, the reviews and listings document the state of thematic and regional atlas cartography in the mid‑20th century, emphasizing clarity of presentation, scientific rigor, and the integration of maps with explanatory texts.
This paper reports on recent advances in the scientific mapping of Morocco and presents provisional results of the 1954 Algerian population census. Regarding Morocco, the author describes the rapid progress in cartography, including revisions of reconnaissance maps and aerial photographic coverage, alongside expanding research in geology, geophysics, geomorphology, oceanography, hydrology, biogeography, and human geography. In 1951, a Comité de l’Atlas du Maroc was established to produce a comprehensive national atlas modelled on the Atlas de France, with maps at 1:2,000,000 or 1:1,000,000 accompanied by explanatory booklets. The first thematic map sheets were published in 1955, covering livestock and railways. The sheep and goat map, based on 1941–1948 averages, shows concentration in humid Atlantic regions with goats dominant in dry woodlands. The multispecies map of cattle, pigs, camels, and equids reveals cattle and pigs predominating along the northern coast and western plains, camels in lowland Doukkala, and horses absent from the arid south. Railway maps document infrastructure types, average speeds, passenger and freight traffic, with cartons on mineral and agricultural commodities. The author notes the geographical—rather than technical—orientation, while suggesting additions such as pasture and transhumance maps. The atlas is deemed promising, with future editions planned for forests, diseases, precipitation, mineral deposits, vertebrate palaeontology, and European colonisation. The second part provides provisional data from the Algerian census of 31 October 1954: the total present population was 9,370,000, an increase from 8,681,785 in 1948. The European population numbered 1,052,400, and the Jewish population, counted with non-Muslims since 1872, was estimated at 130,000.
This compilation presents expert reviews of four cartographic works. The first review evaluates a climate atlas for East Germany, which groups maps of climatic elements, phenological information linking climate to agriculture, and extreme weather events. While praised for its thorough content and excellent printing, the short five‑year observation period and the need for more detailed regional atlases are highlighted. The second review examines a multi‑coloured 1:100,000 Berlin‑surroundings map designed for both motorists and hikers. Critics note its overly large format, incomplete and misleading location symbols (especially inns), and the absence of recent construction, yet acknowledge its clarity and richness. The third review describes an overview map of German federal motorways and highways indicating sections where traffic restrictions may be necessary during thaw‑induced ground softening. Colour‑coded weight limits and speed restrictions are appreciated as a substantial aid for drivers, though the potential need for further restrictions is mentioned. The fourth review analyses the second edition of the Atlas of Argentina. The physical map is critiqued for insufficient relief plasticity due to colour choices and lack of shading or supplementary contour lines, and the exclusion of the deepest Atacama Trench depth. Nevertheless, the atlas is commended for its regional physical maps, unified projection, transport network details, population data, and a valuable map showing the status of topographic surveys. Overall, the reviews underscore the importance of accurate, current, and user‑friendly cartographic design, offering constructive guidance for future editions.
The first four plates of a new national atlas of Morocco have been published. The large format (56 × 47 cm) allows scales of 1:2,000,000 for full-page maps and 1:4,000,000 for layouts with four maps per sheet. Full-page maps are printed with hypsometric tints in four delicate brownish tones, whereas the multi-map sheets appear on a white background. Plate 40a depicts the distribution of sheep and goats using graduated red and green circles in three size classes, complemented by a diagram of population variations since 1940 and an inset map of sheep breeds. Plate 40b comprises four separate maps presenting cattle and pigs, dromedaries, horses, and mules and donkeys. Plate 44a shows railway lines classified by track gauge and motive power, passenger traffic at major stations through sector diagrams, and city plans with environs maps of important localities. Plate 44b visualizes total freight traffic as well as flows of mining and agricultural products in four maps. The atlas is accompanied by a series of “Études et Documents” (initially providing transliteration rules for Arabic and Berber names) and an explanatory booklet for each sheet containing text maps and statistical tables. This ambitious cartographic undertaking is commended with best wishes for a smooth continuation and successful completion.
This paper presents critical reviews of three works within African studies. First, a brief notice praises a publication on black African art by a pupil of von Sydow, highlighting its utility for researchers while noting that a fortuitous discovery raises concerns about possible further finds. Second, a detailed evaluation is offered of Van Bulck’s 1954 language map of Congo. The reviewer commends the map’s overall design, its prioritization of linguistic over ethnic criteria, and the emerging consensus on language nomenclature. However, several classificatory inaccuracies are identified: Mbanja is treated as a separate language rather than a Banda dialect; the Megye group belongs to Eastern Sudanic, not as isolated; Kaonde aligns with Luba, not Bemba; and the Maniema group requires clearer demarcation. Omitted dialects, confusing orthographic choices, and ethnically motivated splits that lack linguistic basis further weaken the work. Third, a review of M. Slater’s book on Jomo Kenyatta’s trial criticizes its one‑sided defense plea. The reviewer argues that despite difficulties in the prosecution’s case and witness retractions, the judge reasonably convicted Kenyatta, who exploited land grievances, established mission‑opposing schools, and tacitly endorsed Mau Mau violence without ever formally condemning it. The trial exposed how land dispossession can be manipulated by an unscrupulous agitator. Together, these reviews contribute to scholarship in African art, linguistics, and history.
This paper reports on the establishment of the Committee on a National Atlas under the Earth Sciences Division of the Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, formally announced on December 17, 1954. The purpose was to create a dedicated body tasked with investigating the feasibility and methodology for producing a comprehensive national atlas of the United States, drawing inspiration from similar atlases in France and the forthcoming atlas of Canada. The committee comprised representatives from key federal agencies and geographical societies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Army Map Service, Bureau of the Census, Forest Service, Archives, Library of Congress, American Geographical Society, Soil Conservation Service, Air Force Aeronautical Chart and Information Service, Office of Naval Research, Geological Survey, and Weather Bureau. This interdisciplinary membership was designed to integrate diverse geographic, cartographic, and statistical expertise. The committee's work built upon earlier investigations by committees of the Association of American Geographers and the American Geographical Society, which had already examined the problem and concluded that a loose-leaf atlas format represented the only viable approach at the time, given the dynamic nature of geographic data and the need for periodic updates. The establishment of this committee signifies a coordinated national effort to advance geographic knowledge and cartographic representation of the United States. Key findings underscored the necessity of cross-agency collaboration and the adoption of a flexible, updatable atlas structure. The conclusion highlights the strategic importance of such an atlas for government, research, and public use, setting the stage for future developments in national mapping initiatives.
This paper provides a critical review of the *Atlas général du Congo* (published 1951–53) and an accompanying lexicographical work on African languages. The review assesses the content, methodology, and scholarly value of these cartographic and lexical resources. The dictionary is praised for its meticulous phonetic and tonal transcription using the International African Institute alphabet, as well as its rich grammatical and etymological annotations. However, its alphabetical organization, while facilitating the preservation of diverse data, obscures broader ethnographic patterns of tribal beliefs and social organization. The atlas contains five thematic maps: population density, tsetse fly distribution, anti-slavery campaigns, plant production areas, and frontier changes. The population map, based on official administrative records, offers a detailed treatment of extra-customary populations but may contain inaccuracies due to provincial-level census aggregation. The tsetse map records all known species yet highlights considerable unexplored territory. The anti-slavery campaign map usefully depicts routes and battles. The plant production map, though supported by historical statistics, is criticized for omitting certain oil mills and for an overly restricted palm grove zone. The frontier map outlines boundary modifications and relevant acts but lacks the important place name Panta. The review concludes that, despite cartographic shortcomings and organizational limitations, these publications serve as valuable data repositories, conserving a wide range of geographical and ethnographic information for future research.
This review critically evaluates the newly published Atlas of the Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate produced by the Survey and Lands Department, Freetown. The purpose is to assess the atlas’s cartographic quality, thematic coherence, and intended audience. Through detailed map-by-map examination, the review identifies strengths, such as the inclusion of authoritative physical, soil, political, population density, geological, and climatic maps, and the utility of climatic graphs. However, significant weaknesses are revealed: certain maps are oversimplified (vegetation and tribal distributions), poorly designed (agricultural products map with ten commodities), or marred by coarse symbolization and dubious accuracy (township maps, particularly Freetown’s road representation). The review questions the atlas’s dual purpose—whether intended for schools or as an authoritative reference—since neither goal is fully realized. Errors like mislabeling a river as a motorable road and misplacing a port town further detract from reliability. Despite these shortcomings, the review concludes that the atlas is an indispensable resource for serious geographical study of Sierra Leone and expresses hope that a future, more affordable edition will permit revision, thereby transforming a flawed but important work into an excellent one.
This review evaluates two publications that offer geographic and historical perspectives on Cuba and Korea. “Atlas de Cuba” (1949), produced at Harvard’s Institute of Geographical Exploration in cooperation with the Republic of Cuba’s Department of Agriculture, crams a vast array of data—from geology to population and production—into 63 pages of maps and text. The cartography largely employs Erwin Raisz’s physiographic style, vividly conveying landscape, land use, natural vegetation, and even tourist attractions. Intended as a multipurpose work for schools, offices, and the tourist trade, the atlas suffers from several shortcomings: incomplete English translations of Spanish legends cause a cluttered bilingual layout, and cost-saving production leads to fuzzy printing on cheap paper and poor color registration, occasionally misplacing population symbols into the sea. Despite these flaws, the authors largely succeed in delivering a “living picture of Cuban geography,” and the large infolded wall map alone justifies the modest price. The review also briefly introduces “The Epic of Korea” by A. Wigfall Green, published during the Korean War to supply essential background. The book recounts Korea’s long history of struggle, noting the succession of Manchu, Mongolian, Chinese, and Japanese invasions, and opens with descriptions of the land and its people. Although the review text is incomplete, it indicates the volume’s value for understanding Korea’s past and present conflicts.
This document is a curated compilation of book reviews and summaries, originally appearing in the January-February 1951 issue of The Military Engineer. It presents a series of concise, informative descriptions of contemporary engineering and technical publications, serving as a resource guide for military and civilian engineers. The compilation covers a wide range of disciplines, including electromagnetic theory (e.g., transmission lines, ultra high frequency engineering, electromagnetic waves), thermodynamics and heat transfer, refrigeration engineering, construction materials (cement, concrete, pozzolanic materials), highway design, tool engineering, and applied topics such as television servicing, warm air heating, and military justice. Each entry provides bibliographic details—author, publisher, page count, and price—along with a succinct summary of the book’s scope, pedagogical approach, and key features. The described texts range from theoretical treatises on network theory and radiating systems to practical manuals on machine winding and speech organization. Noteworthy works include Karakash’s Transmission Lines and Filter Networks, Eckert and Drake’s Introduction to the Transfer of Heat and Mass, and Bruce and Clarkson’s Highway Design and Construction. Additionally, the compilation includes specialized symposium proceedings, such as the Symposium on Use of Pozzolanic Materials in Mortars and Concrete, and official documents like the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution. The primary purpose of this collection is to inform engineers about newly available professional literature, enabling them to identify resources for study, teaching, and practice. By aggregating these reviews, the document provides a snapshot of the state of engineering knowledge and publishing in the early 1950s, reflecting postwar technological advances and the growing demand for both theoretical and applied technical information. It thus serves as both a catalog of current publications and a historical record of the topics and priorities of the engineering community at that time.
This paper presents a comprehensive geographical atlas of Cuba, designed by the Professor of Geography at the Instituto de la Vibora in Havana, employing an analytical approach to illuminate national issues. The research purpose is to provide a detailed, visually rich description of Cuba's physical environment and economic activities, while advancing cartographic experimentation. The methodology integrates a diverse array of graphical tools—block diagrams, distribution maps, pictographs, and a large folded map—combined with concise bilingual (Spanish and English) explanatory texts. The atlas systematically covers the island's location, historical discovery and colonization, climate, geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation, mineral resources, population and social composition, agriculture, industries, and trade and transportation networks. A key innovation is the large map, based on aerial surveys and analysis of color photographs, where specially selected colors denote cultivated fields and natural vegetation, and physiographic symbols recreate an overhead view of the true landscape. Key findings highlight Cuba’s profound dependence on its geographical attributes—location, climate, and soil—and its challenging economic position as a supplier to the United States. The conclusions underscore the atlas's dual utility: as an indispensable reference for students, teachers, and commerce specialists needing a case study of the Caribbean, and as an essential tool for Cuban citizens to foster a precise understanding of their nation. The work advocates for greater economic diversification and suggests that similar cartographic representations of other regions would greatly enhance landscape visualization and geographical literacy.
This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the fifth edition of the Gold Coast Atlas (1949) as a historical cartographic resource. The primary purpose is to document its key enhancements and evaluate its scholarly value, particularly in light of comparisons with earlier territorial atlases. The method involves a feature-by-feature examination of the atlas’s content, including its new gazetteer listing 1083 towns and villages, 161 rivers, and 62 prominent hills, as well as minor map revisions since the 1945 edition. The atlas contains 20 maps, 17 of which are dedicated to the Gold Coast, with thematic coverage spanning administrative divisions, population, tribal and linguistic distribution, physical geography, geology, minerals, rainfall, forestry, agriculture, livestock routes, and transport infrastructure. City plans for Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi and a statistical section on utilities and road/railway mileage are also included. A comparative assessment with the earlier Atlas of the Territory identifies two notable deficiencies: the absence of textual commentary accompanying the thematic maps, and the omission of disease distribution maps, such as those for sleeping sickness and malaria. The paper concludes that while the Gold Coast Atlas constitutes a rich compendium of socioeconomic and physical data for the region, its utility for medical geography is limited. Researchers in that field are advised to consult complementary mapping resources, specifically the 1947 Directorate of Colonial Surveys series on Glossina distribution and the Ash–Spits Atlas of Tropical Diseases. The work thus serves as both a catalogue of atlas contents and a pragmatic guide to its contextual usage.
This note describes the structure and content of five folios from the *Atlas Général Du Congo Et Du Ruanda-Urundi*, a French–Flemish cartographic work published by the Institut Royal Colonial Belge, held in the Map Division’s African collections. The atlas is planned to comprise seven thematic sections—History, Geodesy, the Physical World, Biogeography, Anthropology and the Social Sciences, Politics and Government, and Economics—each subdivided into individual folios that integrate maps, graphs, and explanatory texts. The folios already available include an introductory volume, which provides a 1:3,000,000 overview map of administrative boundaries, settlements, hydrography, and infrastructure alongside a 23-page gazetteer, and four thematic folios from the Biogeography, History, and Politics sections. These contain detailed maps of vegetation zones, protected areas, explorer routes, and the evolution of administrative divisions since 1888, accompanied by subject-specific expository text. The present holdings illustrate the atlas’s layered organization and its dual emphasis on visual representation and contextual documentation. Additional folios are in preparation, addressing ethnology, linguistics, population density, transport, hydrography, boundaries, telecommunications, and the economy, with roughly one hundred further installments projected. Researchers seeking information on topics not yet covered may consult René de Rouck’s *Atlas Géographique Et Historique Du Congo Belge*. This notification highlights the value of the existing volumes for historical and geographical research on Central Africa and signals the expanding scope of the atlas project.
By Ristow, Walter W.; Nielsen, Niels; Schou, Axel; Calvert, W. E.; Hassinger, Hugo·
This article reviews sixteen significant general regional and topical regional atlases published between approximately 1940 and 1950, representing eleven countries and diverse subjects such as viticulture, textiles, peat bogs, hydroelectric power, regional planning, physical geography, and resource distribution. Drawing on Wright and Platt's classification, the review distinguishes these specialized works from general world atlases, emphasizing their role as essential tools for serious research. The atlases are examined individually with attention to sponsorship, cartographic design, scale, textual content, and thematic coverage. Notable examples include the French Atlas de la France vinicole and Atlas hydroélectrique de France, the highly regarded Atlas of Denmark with its innovative block diagrams and bilingual presentation, the loose-leaf Atlas général du Congo, and resource-oriented works such as Bengal in Maps and the Tasmanian regional planning atlas. The review finds that these atlases not only document resource inventories and planning priorities but also reflect national and colonial interests of the post-war era. Many were produced through cooperative efforts among government agencies, academic institutions, and private sponsors. Cartographic quality varies, with several attaining high standards. The collection as a whole illustrates the vitality of regional atlas production and offers valuable comparative insights into mid-twentieth-century geographic knowledge and mapping techniques.
This paper reviews a paper-bound atlas of Cuba, which aims to provide a dynamic and comprehensive visual representation of the island. The atlas consists of 64 pages measuring 13 by 10 inches and includes a folded, full-color map of Cuba approximately 2 by 5 feet in size. Content is presented bilingually in both Spanish and English, enhancing its accessibility to a diverse readership. The publication's design quality is noted to be comparable to the modern, visually engaging annual reports produced by major American corporations, combining aesthetic appeal with informative cartography. The author assesses that the atlas successfully approaches its objective of depicting a "living picture" of Cuba, within the constraints of its physical format. A key conclusion from this evaluation is the desirability of similar atlas projects for individual U.S. states, contingent upon affordability. The review underscores the potential of such atlases as educational and reference tools, provided production costs can be controlled to allow broad distribution.
This review evaluates a bilingual atlas of Cuba created by geographer Dr. Canet and cartographer Erwin Raisz. The 63-page publication offers a vivid portrayal of Cuba's physical and social landscape through a combination of Spanish and English texts, accompanied by colorful maps, diagrams, and pictographs. Designed for a broad readership—including Cubans, tourists, businesspeople, and students—the atlas distills complex geographic and socioeconomic information into an accessible visual format. The review praises the work for its effective dramatization of the Cuban setting and its ability to convey how local life adapts to and transforms the environment. Strengths include the integration of expert knowledge with innovative cartographic design, which results in an engaging and informative narrative. Nevertheless, the review identifies several weaknesses: basic geographic facts such as provincial areas, elevations, and hydrographic features are either absent or insufficiently detailed, limiting its utility as a reference tool. Despite these limitations, the atlas succeeds in its primary goal of fostering a deep familiarity with Cuba's people, economy, and daily realities. The review concludes that this bilingual atlas is a commendable contribution to inter-American geographic literature and a potential model for similar works on other countries.
This review evaluates two significant academic works. The first is a geographic atlas of Cuba, praised for its comprehensive and graphically rich portrayal of the island’s physical and cultural landscapes. The atlas employs colored maps, cartograms, graphic sketches, and symbols to depict historical, physical, demographic, social, communication, and trade patterns. Bilingual Spanish‑English text provides context, though its utility for English‑only readers is limited by extensive Spanish‑language captions, legends, and unfamiliar measurement units. Some maps suffer from disjointed color keys and incomplete legends, reducing accessibility for general audiences. Nevertheless, the atlas is deemed overall a reliable, carefully documented resource based on up‑to‑date statistics and the collaboration of a distinguished cartographer, filling a gap in Latin American geographic education. The review then turns to John Hope Franklin’s “From Slavery to Freedom: A History of American Negroes,” noting its focus on the African American experience within U.S. history, though the review’s text is incomplete.
This review article critically assesses the state of geographical scholarship in India and Pakistan shortly after partition, using ten recently published works as a lens. The purpose is to take stock of both the discipline’s academic standing and the regional, economic, and historical geographies that were emerging. Methodologically, Spate provides a detailed, comparative evaluation of monographs, atlases, and surveys, highlighting their contributions, methodological weaknesses, and the institutional constraints under which they were produced. Key findings reveal a discipline still struggling for full university recognition, burdened by inadequate libraries and uneven training, yet showing genuine progress through dedicated societies, journals, and a small but growing body of rigorous research. The reviewed works vary markedly in quality: while some suffer from careless data, unrealistic planning assumptions, or compilatory approaches, others—such as Deshpande’s regional monograph on Western India, Chatterjee’s cartographic analysis of Bengal, and Thomas’s survey of basic industries—represent substantial achievements. Spate concludes that despite immaturity and “culturable waste” in research coverage, the foundations for a modern geographical tradition in the subcontinent are being laid, with vast untouched areas and problems awaiting investigation. The review thus offers both a snapshot of post-1947 geographical endeavor and a programmatic call for greater field-based, integrative scholarship.
This paper reviews the second edition of the Atlas of the Tanganyika Territory (1948), produced by the Department of Lands and Mines, Dar es Salaam. Against the backdrop of post‑war interest in under‑developed areas, the atlas exemplifies how geographical knowledge can underpin sustainable development planning. Compared with the 1942 first edition, the 1948 version is substantially expanded: new maps depict soils, vegetation, and principal mines, while thoroughly revised sheets cover rainfall, geology, hydrography, temperature, physiography, forest reserves, game distribution and reserves, educational and medical facilities, agriculture, and transport networks (air, road, rail). Detailed population maps distinguish African, European, and Asian groups. A notable contribution is the inclusion of medical‑geography maps showing tsetse fly distribution, sleeping sickness incidence, malaria prevalence, and cattle densities, offering crucial insights into human‑environment health interactions. Accompanying text for each map provides supplementary data. The atlas further features a statistical appendix with import–export data (1893‑1946) and production graphs for tin, mica, salt, gold, and diamonds. It closes with a historical section tracing the cartography of East Africa from Herodotus and Ptolemy to the mid‑20th century, illustrating the evolution of spatial knowledge. The paper concludes that such comprehensive atlases are vital tools for policy‑makers, demonstrating the indispensable role of geographers in assembling the informational foundations required to address pressing world issues.
The "Atlas général du Congo Belge" is a comprehensive cartographic project presented by René Cambier on behalf of the Institut Royal Colonial Belge. Developed by a dedicated commission, the atlas aims to assemble all known information on the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi into a single encyclopedic work. When complete, it will comprise sixty to seventy plates covering the full spectrum of the Belgian colonial domain, each accompanied by explanatory notes in both national languages, French and Flemish. The plates are organized under seven thematic headings: History, Geodesy, Physical Environment, Biogeography, Anthropological and Cultural Sciences, Administrative and Social Policy, and Economy. An introductory section features a 1:3,000,000 map of the Congo with an alphabetical index to facilitate the location of localities, most bearing indigenous names. All other maps are drawn at a scale of 1:1,000,000, with the provision for larger-scale insets where detail requires. At present, three plates have been completed: a phytogeographic map by W. Robyns showing vegetation types grouped into natural provinces; a map of the great explorations by René Cambier tracing the itineraries of the first explorers of the Congo basin; and a map of national parks and nature reserves of the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi, also by W. Robyns, detailing governmental efforts to protect indigenous fauna and flora. The production is expected to proceed at a rate of eight to ten plates per year, so that this true encyclopedia may be finished within a relatively short time. Acknowledging that knowledge is ever-evolving, the work is not intended as definitive; successive updated editions are planned, justifying a limited initial print run of 1,000 copies.
This paper provides a descriptive review of the "Atlas of the Tanganyika Territory" (1942), a comprehensive cartographic compilation produced by the Survey Division of Tanganyika under the direction of H.P. Rowe. Despite the wartime context limiting its public release, the atlas assembled a wide range of geographical information. The paper details the atlas's structure, which comprises five physical maps (physiography, physical features, geology, rainfall and temperature), three biogeographical maps (forest reserves, game distribution and reserves, tsetse distribution), six human geography maps (native population, European and Asiatic population, tribes, provinces and districts, medical and educational facilities), and four industry and commerce maps (agriculture, cattle densities, minerals, and communications). A historical section with nine sheets includes reproductions of ancient maps and routes of European explorers. The atlas was initially restricted to government departments for security reasons. Subsequent additions in 1943 included hydrography and a provisional malaria map, with soil and vegetation maps in preparation. A revised edition was anticipated by late 1948, with public availability expected in 1949. The review highlights the atlas's value as a centralized reference that consolidates diverse data otherwise scattered across inaccessible publications.
This paper examines the role and activities of the Canadian National Committee of the International Geographical Union, with a focus on its efforts to advance geographic science and address national deficiencies in geographic knowledge. The study reviews the Committee’s mandate, composition, and collaborative projects, highlighting its interdisciplinary reach across physical and social geography. Key contributions include promoting geography in Canadian universities, international research on agriculture in high latitudes, and strategic influence in wartime planning. A central finding is Canada’s significant lag in modern geographic mapping, particularly the absence of an up-to-date national atlas; the 1906 and 1915 editions are obsolete. The paper argues that a new comprehensive Atlas of Canada is urgently needed, integrating physical, biogeographic, economic, and human geography. It outlines a preliminary framework based on a survey by the Canadian Social Science Research Council and emphasizes the necessity of collaboration among federal departments and provincial authorities. The Committee concludes that planning must begin immediately to align with the 1951 census, enabling the atlas to include timely statistical maps. The project can be executed within the normal functions of existing agencies at minimal additional cost, with eventual cost recovery through sales. The paper underscores that the Committee is prepared to provide scientific guidance, pending governmental authorization, to produce a modern atlas serving education, industry, international representation, and public understanding of Canada.
In 1943, the Canadian Social Science Research Council formed a Committee, chaired by Benoit Brouillette, to assess the prospects for creating a comprehensive national atlas. The Committee first distinguished between two atlas types: dictionary atlases, which simply locate places, and scientific geographic atlases, which synthesize physiography, climate, biota, and human and economic geography based on the latest geographic knowledge. It reviewed leading examples of the latter, including the Atlas of Finland, the Great Soviet World Atlas, and the Atlas of France, among others. To evaluate domestic capacity, the Committee surveyed map sources across Canada, locating 16 in Ottawa alone and investigating provincial efforts, finding that only Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia produced original cartographic work. The survey confirmed a pressing need for a modern atlas of Canada. The central challenge for the Committee’s future work was to decide whether to pursue a rigorously scientific atlas or a more accessible, popular publication, and to determine the feasibility of such an undertaking given the country’s cartographic resources.
This paper presents a critical review of the Atlas of Tanganyika, published in 1942 under the authority of the Territory’s Chief Surveyor. The purpose is to evaluate the atlas’s cartographic quality, content, and broader implications for colonial geographical knowledge. The review method involves detailed examination of the atlas’s map design, projection, thematic coverage, toponymy, and historical cartography. Key findings highlight the atlas as a remarkable achievement produced during wartime in a remote dependency, featuring eighteen polyconic maps that use a common base and overprints to depict physical features, biogeography, human geography, and economic activities. The maps are intentionally generalized at approximately 1:4,000,000 to avoid spurious accuracy, with pleasing color use and generally good registration. Historical maps are included but suffer from being copies of copies. The gazetteer omits several well‑known place‑names, and while orthographic consistency has improved since earlier lists, minor spelling variations remain. A significant limitation is the lack of references to more detailed sources, reducing the atlas’s utility as a gateway to in‑depth information. The review concludes that despite its merits, the atlas epitomizes a wider problem: locally produced colonial publications are often inaccessible or unknown outside the territory, and wartime difficulties in obtaining such materials underline the need for systematic efforts to collect and disseminate colonial geographical knowledge. The paper thus advocates for concerted measures to remedy this persistent information gap.
This paper presents critical reviews of two geographical publications from 1938. The first review examines the *Atlas van Tropisch Nederland*, a collaborative effort of the Royal Netherlands Geographical Society and the Topographical Service of the Netherlands Indies. The atlas comprises 31 double plates with numerous large- and small-scale thematic maps in full color, covering the Malay Archipelago and Dutch New Guinea. The reviewer praises the overall cartographic quality and the wealth of information on physiography, geology, climate, population, and economy, but offers minor criticisms regarding inconsistent and visually jarring hypsometric color schemes on certain relief maps, and the omission of a map showing European plantation distribution in Java. The second review assesses *The Baltic States: A Survey of the Political and Economic Structure and the Foreign Relations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania*, prepared by the Royal Institute of International Affairs. This volume is commended for its succinct, unbiased account of the political and economic history of the Baltic states. The review highlights the central geographical argument that the region’s locational characteristic—forming a buffer zone between Germany and the Soviet Union—is of outstanding significance in shaping its past and future. Both reviews offer concise evaluations, noting strengths and minor shortcomings, and emphasize the geographical value of the works.
This paper presents the Atlas of Algeria and Tunisia, a comprehensive thematic atlas initiated by the Government General of Algeria with financial support from the Tunisian government. The project was driven by the recognized need for systematic cartographic documentation to optimize land use in this predominantly agricultural region, following the recommendations of geographers Bernard and Ficheur. The atlas is structured into seven sections: Geology, Hypsometry, Climatology, Vegetation, Demography, Economic Geography, and Administrative Geography. Methodologically, the hypsometric map was produced through a multi-stage reduction of topographic contours to preserve accuracy at 1:1,500,000 scale, while climatological maps rely on 45-year records from 377 stations, achieving a rainfall accuracy of 3.5%. The vegetation section, co-authored by botanist René Maire, presents a novel phytogeographic regionalization. Demography and economic geography maps trace population distribution and agricultural production, with the vine cultivation map already completed. Administrative maps will include both contemporary divisions and historical evolution since 1830. A key feature is the uniform scale across all plates, ensuring cross-map comparability; rainfall patterns emerge as central explanatory variables for demographic densities, agricultural production, and colonization patterns. Beyond its scientific inventory function, the atlas represents a significant instance of scientific and industrial decentralization, largely executed by Algerian administration and local industry. The completed work will offer an integrated visual synthesis of Algeria’s and Tunisia’s physical and human geography, serving as an indispensable tool for informed governance and development planning.
This review presents a critical overview and progress report on the _Atlas of Algeria and Tunisia_, a large-scale cartographic project initiated in 1910 by the governments of Algeria and Tunisia. The atlas aims to synthesize physical, demographic, and economic knowledge of the two territories into a coherent cartographic whole. The authors, Augustin Bernard and R. de Flotte de Roquevaire, are recognized for their expertise and for overcoming significant challenges, such as the selection and updating of source materials, the choice of a common base map at 1:1,500,000 scale, and the achievement of high-quality lithographic production in Algiers. The planned seven sections encompass geology, hypsometry, climatology, phytogeography, demography, administrative geography, and economic geography, comprising 19 large map sheets with numerous insets and accompanying explanatory booklets. By 1929, eight fascicles had been published, covering the first four sections and part of the fifth. The review details the content of each fascicle, highlighting advances in geological mapping, a clear hypsometric representation, innovative climatic maps (including temperature, rainfall distribution, aridity indices), and an original phytogeographic map dividing the region into botanical domains. The rural dwellings map is noted as a fundamental demographic document. The work is praised for its rich documentation, cartographic clarity, and practical utility, marking it as one of the most significant colonial atlas projects of its time, valuable for scholars, administrators, and the general public.
This paper presents the comprehensive geographical atlas of Egypt, compiled under the directive of His Majesty the King, integrating orographical, geological, meteorological, and economic data to provide an up-to-date synthetical overview. The orographical map at 1:1,000,000 scale constitutes the first systematic contouring of the entire country, while comparative analysis with earlier maps demonstrates the significant advances achieved through the adoption of motorized desert transport. Two major discoveries are highlighted: first, in the Libyan Desert, static water-levels of existing sources are shown to delineate a gently curved subsurface piezometric surface, enabling the prediction of well sites independent of surface topography or geology, and two productive wells have already been drilled; second, the identification of the Qattara Depression—an 18,000 km² depression extending below sea level—offers a potential hydroelectric capacity of 200,000 kW, with engineering feasibility studies underway by the Survey of Egypt. The meteorological section incorporates data from 58 meteorological stations in Egypt and Sudan and nearly 100 rainfall-only stations, mapping the entire Nile basin. Economic maps reveal marked spatial disparities: the northern Delta exhibits deficient cultivation and population density, while perennial irrigation in Upper Egypt supports considerably higher land values than basin irrigation, strongly underscoring the urgency of extending irrigation infrastructure. The atlas thus updates geographical knowledge while identifying critical resource and development opportunities for Egypt.
This paper presents a critical review of the *Atlas of Egypt*, compiled, drawn, and printed in Egypt as the country’s contribution to the International Geographical Congress in Cambridge. The work is lauded as a delightful piece of workmanship, with primary credit given to H. Sirry Bey, Surveyor‑General of Egypt since 1927, and his collaborators. The review examines the atlas’s principal map series. The general and orographical maps by Dr. John Ball reflect the vastly increased knowledge of the desert gained through motorized exploration; they display routes of regular motor communication and major recent expeditions, notably those of Prince Kemal el‑Din Hussein. Two striking new features are the Gebel Owenat massif, revealed by Hassanein Bey in 1923, and the Qattara Depression, proven in 1926 to reach 137 m below sea level. The orographic map departs from the international millionth scheme by reserving green exclusively for arable land and using brown and gray tints for desert, thereby emphasizing the fundamental distinction between cultivated and barren terrain. Geological maps by W. F. Hume and O. H. Little supply detailed coverage, especially in the Sinai Peninsula. The meteorological section, by L. J. Sutton, includes six maps of recognized weather types and diagrams showing that relative humidity in the northern Sudan during April–May falls virtually to zero. The population‑density map (1:500 000) is extraordinarily effective, employing pale buff for desert and seven gray‑blue gradations from below 100 to over 1000 persons per km²; its pattern closely matches the map of agricultural raw material value. Economic maps and diagrams, with explanatory text by J. I. Craig, further reveal the density of cotton cultivation (maximum in the middle delta) and the prevalence of double‑cropping. The reviewer concludes that the atlas represents a major cartographic achievement, skillfully synthesizing physical, demographic, and economic data.
This study synthesizes two companion publications describing the vegetation of Algeria and Tunis, both utilizing the same colored phytogeographic map prepared by Professor Maire with the assistance of Battandier, G. Lapie, P. de Peyerimhoff, and Dr. Trabut. The first publication provides a concise overview of the vegetation, accompanied by 13 half-tone photographs and four colored profiles that mirror the map’s scheme to illustrate the physiognomy of principal formations. The second volume offers a more detailed account, supplemented by 60 illustrations of individual plant species. The vegetation is classified into three natural subdivisions shaped by climatic and topographic gradients. The coastal region, receiving 400–1600 mm of annual rainfall but enduring a warm dry season of 4–5 months, supports forests dominated by evergreen oaks (Quercus ilex and Q. suber) and deciduous oaks (Q. lusitanica and Q. afares), together with olive, elm, ash, alder, and poplar. At middle elevations within 100 km of the sea, forests of Pinus halepensis prevail, with smaller stands of Pinus pinaster along the coast and Cedrus atlantica on the highest peaks. Adjacent to the Sahara, open woodlands of Quercus ilex and P. halepensis occur on certain mountain ranges, while lower slopes are characterized by extensive stands of the arborescent juniper Juniperus phoenicea. The conifer Callitris articulata is abundant in western Algeria and scattered in Tunis. Inland steppes, with roughly 200 mm of annual rainfall, separate the forested zone from true desert. This vegetation mapping effort integrates field observation, cartography, and detailed floristic illustration to document the phytogeographic patterns of the region.
This paper presents a comparative evaluation of six atlases published in the early twentieth century (1904–1916), assessing their cartographic design, informational richness, production quality, and value for users. The analysis is based on a qualitative examination of physical specifications—such as dimensions, binding, colour plates, map types, text supplements, indexes, and price—to draw conclusions about the state of atlas-making in the Anglophone and Francophone worlds.
The review begins with a fragmentary reference to an unnamed British imperial atlas, notable for a 70‑page index with geographical coordinates and a 134‑page gazetteer. White’s “Atlas of Canada” (1906) earns high praise for its completeness and excellent colour maps, mounted on stubs. Reclus’s “Atlas de la plus Grande France” (circa 1916) is singled out as a masterpiece: 160 colour maps, each double‑page spread accompanied by text or black‑and‑white diagrams, presenting maximal information in an aesthetically refined manner. The author laments that no English‑language atlas matches its value or craftsmanship. Rand McNally’s “International Atlas of the World” (1915) is judged a solid American reference work, employing wax‑process printing and offering detailed U.S. statistics at a modest price. Schrader’s “Atlas de Géographie Moderne” (1904) exemplifies the French tradition of page‑efficiency, with double‑page colour maps backed by monochrome graphics and text, particularly comprehensive on France and its colonies; its geographic vision is held to align with the best American ideals. Hammond’s “Comprehensive Atlas,” by contrast, represents low‑cost production with cursory drawing and careless workmanship, although it remains functional as a pocket reference.
The survey reveals a stark quality spectrum: sophisticated French atlases like those of Reclus and Schrader set a benchmark for integrated physical‑economic cartography and presentational elegance, while less expensive English‑language alternatives often compromise detail and drawing quality. The paper implicitly advocates a model that combines rigorous geographic content with a clear, user‑oriented layout—a standard that, in the author’s view, was then best realised by French atlas publishers.
This review examines the Atlas of Canada, compiled by geographer James White of the Department of the Interior, which graphically represents the results of the 1904 Canadian census. Far more than a statistical appendix, the atlas offers a comprehensive geographical synthesis of the Dominion through synoptic tables, 46 map plates, and statistical diagrams. The maps adopt three consistent scales and apply uniform shading gradients across all provinces, deliberately facilitating regional comparisons and emphasizing the nation’s interconnectedness. The review details the thematic plates covering physical features (relief, geology, minerals, forests, tree-species limits), infrastructure (telegraphs, telephones, railways, canals, sailing routes), climate (isotherms, precipitation, snowfall, sunshine), population (density, ethnic origins, aboriginal groups), boundaries, explorer routes, and urban plans. Notable cartographic choices include representing railway service areas by company territory rather than line traces and treating both long-settled and newly occupied regions with equal cartographic detail. The reviewer highlights the atlas’s ability to reveal spatial relationships and stimulate hypotheses about environmental and human interdependencies. The work is praised as a successful governmental initiative that significantly enhances public and scientific knowledge of Canada. In conclusion, the Atlas of Canada is judged a truly geographical achievement, effectively merging census data with rigorous distributional analysis.