Book Review: Atlas Nacional de México

Summary

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.