Cartographic development of the Atlas of Canada

Summary

In 1949, the Canadian government decided to produce a new national atlas covering the economic and physical features of the country, replacing the outdated 1915 edition. A Federal Atlas Committee was formed, with subcommittees collecting data in fields such as agriculture, fisheries, transportation, and natural resources. Cartographic work was formally assigned to the Surveys and Mapping Branch in 1954. The project involved designing base maps at multiple scales, primarily using the Lambert Conformal projection with standard parallels at 49° and 77° north, and selecting durable, opaque rag paper for printing. To address colour reproduction challenges, the cartographers developed a system of screened tints and colour combinations, reducing the average number of printings per sheet to nine. Techniques such as artificial negative colour separation, photographic proofing on plastic sheets, and precise plate exposure ensured accuracy and consistency. The atlas production not only fulfilled a national mapping need but also served as an educational stimulus, encouraging innovative cartographic methods and professional development among the staff.