The Atlas 2000, The new Atlas of Israel

Summary

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.