Atlas of Australian Resources: A Review

Summary

This review assesses the Atlas of Australian Resources, a serial publication completed in 1960, and aims to guide British teachers in selecting the most useful sheets for teaching the geography of Australia. It highlights the map of Dominant Land Use for its clear depiction of thirteen land-use categories and its instructive comparison with surface-water conservation. Maps on stock, agricultural production, and croplands are criticized for overloading or praised for precise location and trend analysis. The Mineral Industry and Manufacturing sheets are recommended for their recent data and excellent commentaries. Ports and Shipping, Roads and Aerodromes, and Population Distribution are also discussed, with remarks on their merits and limitations. Physical geography maps occupy one-third of the atlas but are considered less essential because comparable maps exist elsewhere; nonetheless, the geological map and innovations in drainage mapping are noted. The review concludes that the Department of National Development should continue updating and expanding the atlas into a comprehensive national atlas.