Introduction to the National Atlas of China

Summary

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.