Cuba古巴

Howard A. Meyerhoff; Gerado Canet

This review evaluates the bilingual Atlas de Cuba, prepared by Gerado Canet and Erwin Raisz. Using maps, diagrams, and pictographs, the atlas vividly portrays Cuba's geographic and social settings and aims to show how Cuban life transforms its environment, creating new problems and adjustments. The reviewer praises its cartographic skill and readability, noting that readers gain a genuine familiarity with Cuba and its economy. However, he points out the lack of basic data such as provincial areas, elevations, and hydrography, and suggests that dramatization sometimes outweighs raw facts. Overall, the review concludes that the authors achieved their goal, making the atlas useful for tourists, businesspeople, and students.

Henry Sterling; Gerardo Canet; Erwin Raisz

This review assesses Gerardo Canet and Erwin Raisz's Atlas de Cuba, a cartographic work using colored maps, diagrams, and pictorial symbols to depict Cuba's history, physical geography, economy, population, communications, and trade. The reviewer notes its value for teaching cultural geography, though Spanish captions and incomplete legends create some difficulties. Overall, the atlas is reliable, well-documented, statistically current, and a welcome aid for understanding Latin American patterns and trends.

Gerardo Canet; Erwin Raisz

This is a review of two geographical and historical works. The author notes that the Atlas de Cuba presents Cuba's history, climate, and physical and economic conditions through maps and diagrams, but the excessive and poorly designed illustrations, along with substandard color printing, weaken the work; only its large folding map, which innovatively uses color and technique to depict landscapes, holds real value. The other book, a reprint of the 1816 History of the Buccaneers of America, is introduced with biographical context on Burney's naval career and literary connections, making it significant for both history and literature.

This review assesses the Atlas de Cuba (1949), compiled by Gerando Canet with Erwin Raisz at Harvard University's Institute of Geographical Exploration. The atlas gathers comprehensive data on Cuba's geology, population, housing, and production, employing Raisz's distinctive physiographic mapping style, extended effectively to land use, vegetation, and tourism maps. The reviewer identifies significant shortcomings, including incomplete English translations, a crowded layout, and poor reproduction marked by fuzzy printing and misregistered color plates. Nevertheless, the authors largely achieve their goal of presenting 'a living picture of Cuban geography,' and the infolded wall map alone justifies the atlas's price. The review concludes that, despite production flaws, the work remains a valuable national atlas and geographic resource.

Canet, Gerardo; Raisz, Erwin

This document is a curated compilation of book reviews and summaries, originally appearing in the January-February 1951 issue of The Military Engineer. It presents a series of concise, informative descriptions of contemporary engineering and technical publications, serving as a resource guide for military and civilian engineers. The compilation covers a wide range of disciplines, including electromagnetic theory (e.g., transmission lines, ultra high frequency engineering, electromagnetic waves), thermodynamics and heat transfer, refrigeration engineering, construction materials (cement, concrete, pozzolanic materials), highway design, tool engineering, and applied topics such as television servicing, warm air heating, and military justice. Each entry provides bibliographic details—author, publisher, page count, and price—along with a succinct summary of the book’s scope, pedagogical approach, and key features. The described texts range from theoretical treatises on network theory and radiating systems to practical manuals on machine winding and speech organization. Noteworthy works include Karakash’s Transmission Lines and Filter Networks, Eckert and Drake’s Introduction to the Transfer of Heat and Mass, and Bruce and Clarkson’s Highway Design and Construction. Additionally, the compilation includes specialized symposium proceedings, such as the Symposium on Use of Pozzolanic Materials in Mortars and Concrete, and official documents like the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution. The primary purpose of this collection is to inform engineers about newly available professional literature, enabling them to identify resources for study, teaching, and practice. By aggregating these reviews, the document provides a snapshot of the state of engineering knowledge and publishing in the early 1950s, reflecting postwar technological advances and the growing demand for both theoretical and applied technical information. It thus serves as both a catalog of current publications and a historical record of the topics and priorities of the engineering community at that time.

This book review evaluates the *Atlas of Cuba*, a cartographic work studying Cuba's physical and economic geography. The atlas employs block diagrams, distribution maps, and pictographs, covering climate, geology, soils, population, agriculture, industry, and trade, accompanied by concise bilingual explanations. Ransom emphasizes the book's value for students, teachers, and Cuban citizens, particularly in revealing Cuba's dependence on geographic location, climate, and soils, as well as the necessity of economic diversification. He also praises the large folding maps as an innovative cartographic visualization of the landscape.

This review evaluates Gerardo Canet and Erwin Raisz's "Atlas De Cuba" (Harvard University Press, 1949). The atlas aims to present a living picture of Cuba, and within its 64 pages and inserted colored map, it largely achieves this goal. The text is bilingual in Spanish and English, and its format is visually attractive, comparable to modern corporate annual statements. The reviewer suggests that similar atlases for U.S. states would be welcome if the price could be kept down. Its significance lies in its effective visual representation of a region and its potential as a model for regional atlases.

Andrzej Bonasewicz

This review discusses three geographical publications: the Atlas de Cuba (1949), the Atlas Censal de El Salvador (1955), and the Bibliography of Physical Limnology 1781–1954. It outlines their contents, cartographic methods, and main features, while noting strengths and weaknesses: the Cuban atlas offers rich maps and bilingual explanations; the Salvadoran atlas provides detailed demographic and economic data but lacks scales and is in Spanish only; the bibliography is clearly organized and well indexed. Overall, these works serve educational and reference purposes.

Clarke, C. G.

This paper reviews the National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Revolution. Prepared collaboratively by the Cuban and Soviet Academies of Sciences, the atlas features high-quality cartography and provides a comprehensive inventory of Cuba’s physical geography, much neglected by previous governments. The second half addresses post-revolutionary human geography, including land use, state agriculture, industrialization, trade, population, education, health, and history. Map analysis reveals that sugar continues to dominate the economy, with only minor changes such as three new bulk-loading ports. Large estates were transformed into state farms, concentrating private landholdings in the west. Industrialization, though spatially decentralized, suffered from overambitious early plans and import dependence, leading to a scaled-down program after 1963. Trade reliance shifted from the United States to the Soviet bloc, with no mention of an earlier failed diversification attempt. Demographic data for 1967, although uncited, show population growth and internal migration, but the atlas lacks post-revolutionary social structure details. Education achievements are notable: the 1961 literacy campaign reduced illiteracy from 25% to under 4%, and the numbers of schools and teachers roughly doubled and trebled, respectively. Health improvements include expanded rural polyclinics, yet one-third of doctors emigrated and the patient-to-doctor ratio likely deteriorated. The atlas spatially documents many social advances but omits critical analysis of economic dependency, income redistribution, or unconventional policies. Ultimately, it stands as a monument to revolutionary achievements, constrained by its exclusive focus on mappable variables and reflecting the Soviet imprint on Cuban affairs.

Н. Ф. Леонтьев; Я. Г. Машбиц

The article by N. F. Leontiev and Ya. G. Mashbits discusses the National Atlas of Cuba, a comprehensive cartographic work produced jointly by the Institutes of Geography of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the USSR Academy of Sciences in the framework of scientific cooperation. Published in 1970, the atlas is the first work of its kind in Latin America and the first national atlas prepared with extensive Soviet participation. The authors describe the structure and content of the atlas, which contains about 170 maps grouped into eight series: introductory, natural conditions and resources, agriculture, industry, transport and external economic relations, population, health, education and culture, and history. They emphasize the scientific and practical significance of the atlas for planning socio-economic development, studying natural resources, and developing tropical geography. The article also analyzes the experience gained during the five-year preparation, highlighting general principles for creating national atlases. In particular, the authors propose a definition of a national atlas based primarily on its purpose: to serve state institutions and planning agencies in national development. They argue that a national atlas should reflect the current state of knowledge of a country's territory, the level of socio-economic development, and be oriented to solving national problems of rational use of natural potential and development of productive forces. They also discuss the issue of comparability of indicators on maps, noting that due to uneven study of territory, some incomparability is acceptable. The experience of the Cuban atlas shows that the preparation of national atlases requires flexibility, consideration of country-specific features, and should not follow rigid templates. The authors conclude that the Cuban National Atlas is a significant contribution to national mapping and a model for other developing countries.

Donald R. Dyer

This review examines the first National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970 by the Cuban Academy of Sciences in collaboration with Soviet institutions, in both Spanish and Russian editions. The atlas comprises 102 map pages and 29 text pages, covering physical geography, economy, population, culture, and history, with data mostly from the 1960s. It prominently highlights revolutionary achievements, including new industrial installations and social improvements. The cartography and printing are excellent, produced by Cuban and Soviet cartographers. The reviewer concludes that the atlas is a valuable contribution to basic knowledge about Cuba.

This paper describes the creation and content of the National Atlas of Cuba, a collaborative project between the Cuban Institute of Geography and the Soviet Institute of Geography under their respective Academies of Sciences. The atlas project was initiated in April 1965 by the Institute of Geography in Havana under the direction of chief editor Antonio Núñez Jimenez, also president of the Cuban Academy of Sciences. The Cuban institute coordinated research efforts across 40 participating institutions, while Soviet cartographers served as consultants for editorial and compilation work. The resulting volume spans 144 pages, featuring 105 color maps, 23 pages of explanatory text, and a seven-page index of geographical names. The maps are categorized into general, physical, agricultural, industrial, cultural, historical, and population themes, with approximately half devoted to the natural features of the Cuban archipelago. A notable emphasis throughout the atlas is the comparison of pre- and post-revolutionary statistical data. The publication, priced at about $15, represents a significant cartographic synthesis. An English translation was issued by the U.S. Joint Publications Research Service as *Translations on Latin America, No. 525* (JPRS 53167), making the work accessible to a broader audience. This atlas stands as an important resource for geographical, historical, and socio-economic analysis of Cuba.

Правоторова, Г. А.

This paper examines the potential of national complex atlases as a foundation for subsequent thematic and typological cartography, using the development of a map of “Agricultural Production Types of Land” for the Matanzas Province of Cuba as a case study. The primary data source is the National Atlas of Cuba (1970), created under USSR–Cuba scientific cooperation. The method involved a multi-stage analysis and synthesis of the atlas’s natural and socio-economic maps. Working tracings were first compiled from geomorphological, soil, and hydrogeological maps to delineate relief types, karst distribution, predominant soil series, and groundwater characteristics. In parallel, economic maps of agriculture, the sugar industry, transport, and water management were analyzed to identify leading agricultural branches, crop area distributions, sugar central locations, and melioration prospects. By sequentially overlaying all derived tracings and cross-referencing natural potential with economic trends, a comprehensive typological map at 1:750,000 scale was produced. The resulting map identifies five major agricultural production types—sugar cane; fruits, root crops, and vegetables; fiber crops; rice; and livestock—further subdivided into thirteen subtypes. The detailed legend integrates for each subtype the characteristic relief, karst forms, groundwater availability and quality, genetic soil groups, and key agronomic properties. The map also highlights lands currently unused but suitable for future agricultural development with melioration. The study demonstrates that systematic exploitation of national atlas materials enables scientifically grounded typological mapping, offering valuable forecasts for optimizing land use and advancing system-structural approaches in geography. The approach is particularly relevant for tropical regions, where combining multi-thematic atlas data reveals fine-scale spatial patterns of agricultural suitability and production structure.

Р. И. Злотин; С. В. Зонн; Д. А. Лилиенберг; Я. Г. Машбиц; А. И. Фадеев; В. П. Чичагов

This article summarizes the experience of cooperation between the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences and geographers and cartographers of Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam in creating national atlases of these countries. It analyzes the scientific concept of the atlases, the integrity and coverage of their subject matter, the combination of fundamental character and practical orientation, structural features, and integration potential. The article proposes a working definition of a national atlas: a fundamental comprehensive cartographic work reflecting a special object of mapping—the nation-state as an integral entity in the full systemic complexity of internal and external factors and historical preconditions of its existence and development. It elaborates principles for developing national atlases for countries with limited geographic and cartographic knowledge, including: broad thematic coverage oriented toward national economic and social planning practice; clear expression of resource-ecological, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural specificity; a flexible structure; and organization as a special target program coordinating interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and often international efforts. The article examines the thematic structure of the national atlases of Cuba (1970), Mongolia (1989), and Vietnam, comprising introductory sections, general geographic maps, historical-revolutionary maps, nature and natural resources, population and settlement, economy, socio-economic development, and social infrastructure. It also discusses scale series, the role of general economic maps, legend capacity, and the integration potential of national atlases as embodiments of systemic mapping that realize direct and feedback links between geography and cartography. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of such atlases for poorly studied countries as effective tools for planning and scientific acceleration, and outlines prospects for further improvement of national atlases, maintaining the priority of Soviet geographic cartography, and international scientific-technical cooperation.

R. I. Zlotin; S. V. Zonn; D. A. Liliyenberg; Ya. G. Mashbits; A. I. Fadeyev; V. P. Chichagov

This article systematically summarizes the concepts, content, and development experience of national atlases, based on the long-term collaboration between the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences and geographers and cartographers of Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam. The authors first review nearly four decades of international cooperation: the first National Atlas of Cuba was produced in 1965–1970, receiving international acclaim and the USSR State Prize in 1973; work on the National Atlas of Mongolia began in 1976 jointly with Mongolian and Siberian scientists; and in the late 1980s new editions for Cuba and Vietnam were undertaken. The Soviet side contributed mainly to scientific concept design, coordination, methodological consulting, scientific editing, and specialist training. A working definition of the national atlas is proposed: it is a fundamental integrated cartographic work that treats the nation-state as a holistic entity, reflecting the complexity of its natural, historical, socioeconomic, and ethnocultural systems and the interaction of internal and external factors. For countries with limited geographic and cartographic study, several principles are suggested: the atlas should have broad thematic coverage oriented toward national economic and social planning; it should realistically portray the degree of integrated research on nature, resources, economy, population, and social factors; its structure should be flexible; and its creation should be organized as a special-purpose program uniting interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and often international teams. The article further discusses the relationship between scale series and content, emphasizing that national atlases embody systems mapping and strengthen the integrating links among geography, cartography, and other sciences. Comparative analysis shows that the Mongolian and Vietnamese atlases have more modern structures, broader socioeconomic coverage, and a larger number of mapped subjects than the Cuban one, while their formats have become more compact. The authors conclude that national atlases can be created even under incomplete study of a territory and can serve as powerful stimuli for further research, the development of national scientific schools, and the formation of research teams. The inclusion of controversial or alternative maps is considered a viable option. Further improvement of national atlases is necessary to enhance their theoretical, practical, and ideological potential, as well as to promote international cooperation in geography and cartography.

В. В. Барыкина; В. В. Бердников; Л. В. Логинова; А. А. Лютый; Р. С. Царских; Е. А. Финько

This article reviews the New National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1989, which represents a major achievement in Cuban geography and cartography. The atlas was developed under the leadership of the Institute of Geography of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, with the participation of over 100 national institutions as well as specialists from the USSR, the GDR, and Mexico. As a comprehensive upgrade of the first national atlas published in 1970, this work comprises 24 sections, 627 maps, 665 graphic items, and 61 color photographs, systematically presenting Cuba's natural environment, resources, and socio-economic development at large scales such as 1:1,000,000 and 1:2,000,000. The atlas covers a wide range of topics including geographical location, geology, seismicity, geomorphology, climate, water resources, marine environments, soils, vegetation, population, agriculture, industry, transportation, trade, environmental conditions, and historical and revolutionary processes. It introduces several innovative themes rarely found in national atlases, such as comprehensive environmental quality assessment and Cuba's foreign policy. The article highly praises the atlas's scientific value and cartographic quality, considering it not only an essential reference for national economic planning and scientific research but also a cultural ambassador showcasing Cuba's achievements and promoting international cooperation. The atlas demonstrates the maturity of Cuban geography and cartography and sets a new standard for national atlases worldwide.

Gladstone Oliva; Elia A. Sánchez; Luis R. Díaz; Enrique Propín; Jorge L. Díaz; José R. Hernández

The New National Atlas of Cuba represents a landmark in Cuban geography and cartography. The first National Atlas, published in 1970, gradually became outdated as the country underwent rapid socioeconomic development. In 1983, a new edition was initiated under the joint direction of the Institute of Geography of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography. Involving nearly 150 institutions and 1,500 specialists, the atlas was published in January 1989. It comprises 210 sheets of maps and text organized into 18 thematic sections, covering physical geography, population, social infrastructure, natural resources, economic activities, environment, and history. The large-format volume (59 × 52 cm) presents Cuba at scales from 1:1,000,000 to 1:4,000,000. Beyond its practical utility, the atlas laid the groundwork for Cuba's Geographic Information System (SIG-Cuba) and inspired the production of regional and thematic atlases, leaving a lasting scientific legacy.

Dalmasso, Etienne

This review essay examines two major recent contributions to geographic scholarship. The first work signals the emergence of a Saudi school of geographers, well versed in social science research methods. Despite the uneven quality of its chapters, it defines future research themes essential for understanding a unique space shaped by the interaction between an exceptionally hostile natural environment and an extraordinary determination to develop the territory, supported by exceptional financial resources. The goal is to provide inhabitants with a quality of life comparable to that of large cities. The second work is the new National Atlas of Cuba (1989), an imposing volume directed by Gladstone Oliva Gutiérrez. Comprising over 200 large-format pages with 627 maps at various scales, 61 color photographs, and more than 700 diagrams, profiles, and graphs, it offers a detailed panorama of Cuban geography. Its 24 sections cover reference maps, natural conditions (geophysics, geology, relief, karst, climate, water resources, seas, soils, flora, fauna, and landscapes), human and economic aspects (population, resources, socio-cultural facilities, agriculture, sugar economy, industry, transport, regionalization, and environment), as well as a final section on history and revolution. The atlas represents a substantial improvement over the 1970 edition and stands as an essential document for anyone seeking cartographic and scientific reference on Cuba. Together, these works illustrate distinct but complementary approaches to national spatial representation and geographical analysis.

Kent, Robert B.

This review essay examines six national atlases of Latin America produced between 1985 and 1992: those of Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia. Its purpose is to evaluate their cartographic quality, thematic coverage, and scholarly value using comparative content analysis. The atlases vary notably in design and depth. Mexico’s three-volume loose-leaf atlas offers exceptional thematic breadth and innovative layout but lacks an index. Cuba’s monumental volume excels in high-quality cartography and detailed treatment of the physical environment. Colombia’s fourth edition concentrates heavily on reference mapping, often at the expense of thematic richness, while Peru’s atlas integrates extensive textual commentary with department-level satellite images. Panama’s atlas achieves a balanced mix of maps and interpretative text, while Bolivia’s version, though visually appealing, omits critical economic geography and fails to provide a geographical index or full bibliography. All volumes contain a wealth of original, primary-source-based information on physical, historical, social, and economic conditions. The review concludes that, despite their individual shortcomings, these atlases are indispensable reference works for any academic library supporting Latin American studies, serving as enduring resources for interdisciplinary research.

This article examines the first National Atlas of Cuba, Atlas de Cuba, published in 1949 by the Institute of Geographical Exploration at Harvard University, and uses it to rediscover the country in the early twentieth century. The atlas was edited by Cuban geographer Gerardo Canet with the close collaboration of Hungarian-born cartographer Erwin Raisz, a pioneer of physiographic mapping. Inspired by Salvador Massip, Canet undertook the project during a five-year stay at Harvard, supported by a Guggenheim fellowship. The atlas presents 34 themes in 64 pages, organized into groups covering the country's history, physical geography, social conditions (standard of living, health, social composition, government), and national economy. A distinctive feature is its rich combination of maps with photographs, charts, and textual explanations, intended not only for specialists but also for the general public. This early multimedia approach reflects a fusion of Raisz's delicate drawing and physiographic style with Canet's desire to make a wide range of data accessible and visually attractive. The article also reconstructs the authors' biographies and professional relationship, noting that Raisz's physiographic method had already been applied to a map of Cuba in 1929, beginning a thirty-year connection with Cuban geography. After the atlas, Canet returned to Cuba and became an active geographer and cartographer, producing maps for historical and geographical works such as Leví Marrero's Geography of Cuba and Ramiro Guerra's Guerra de los Diez Años. However, after he and his wife opposed the government and emigrated to the United States in 1961, Canet's works, including the atlas, were deliberately ignored and omitted by official Cuban media and institutions, though never formally banned. Generations born after 1959 had little access to his contributions; the atlas remained in the National Library, accessible only to authorized researchers. The data it contains provide a fairly complete picture of Cuba before 1959, including details avoided in official discourse for more than fifty years. Therefore, the author argues that reading this atlas allows us to rediscover an early twentieth-century Cuba in all its positive and negative dimensions, and to recognize a forgotten masterpiece of mid-twentieth-century Cuban cartography. The article thus combines historical narrative, cartographic analysis, and political context to recover the significance of Atlas de Cuba and its authors.

José Jesús Reyes Nuñez

The article "A Forgotten Atlas of Erwin Raisz: 'Atlas de Cuba'" by José Jesús Reyes Nuñez examines the "Atlas de Cuba," published in 1949 by the Institute of Geographical Exploration at Harvard University. This atlas was the result of a collaboration between Erwin Raisz, a Hungarian-born American cartographer, and Gerardo Canet, a Cuban geographer and cartographer. The article highlights that the atlas aimed to provide a "living picture of Cuban Geography" within 64 pages, covering 34 themes through a rich combination of maps, pictures, charts, and text. These themes included the country's history, physical geography, social parameters (such as standard of living, health, social composition, and government), and the national economy. Its uniqueness lies in merging Raisz's delicate physiographic drawing style with Canet's interest in representing a broad spectrum of data using various graphic tools, making the information accessible and understandable for the general public while maintaining scientific value. The article details the backgrounds of both authors, particularly Raisz's development of the physiographic method and his earlier collaboration with Salvador Massip on the "Diagrama Fisiográfico de Cuba" in 1929, and Canet's career and time at Harvard under Raisz's tutelage. It also analyzes how the atlas's extension, design, and format differed markedly from traditional national atlases, positioning it as a precursor to multimedia atlases. Despite being a significant work of Cuban national cartography between 1949 and 1969, and arguably the country's first national atlas, the article notes that it was deliberately ignored by Cuban authorities after Canet's emigration in 1961, becoming unknown to new generations of Cubans. Paradoxically, its international valuation has grown, making it a rare and valuable piece of universal cartography. The author concludes by aiming to contribute to a more complete picture of Cuban geography and cartography's development in the first half of the 20th century, hoping this work serves as inspiration and a starting point for further research.

Orfilio Peláez

This article reports the release of the new National Atlas of Cuba marking the 60th anniversary of the Revolution. Completed by over 300 specialists from 65 institutions over five years, it is Cuba's first digital multimedia atlas made entirely by Cuban experts. Its six sections cover nature, economy, society, history, and include first-time topics such as rock art, as well as detailed coverage of climate change, protected areas, and biodiversity. Advanced GIS and big-data technologies enable continuous updates. The article also mentions a statement by Cuban intellectuals in December 1959 expressing support for the Revolution and joining the militias.

Basulto, José Miguel Marrero; Machín, Jorge A. Luis; Alvarez, Orlando Novúa; Hernández, Silvio V. Rodríguez; Pérez, Saylí Tur

This scientific note describes the development of the National Atlas of Cuba “LX Anniversary,” a digital geographic‑cartographic work designed as a “living atlas.” Led by the Institute of Tropical Geography (IGT) in collaboration with Geocuba I.C., CITMATEL, the University of Havana, and numerous other national entities, the atlas is the first of its kind produced entirely by Cuban institutions and specialists. Building on the heritage of the 1970, 1979, and 1989 atlases, the new atlas is structured into six thematic sections (General and Reference Maps, Nature, Population, Economy, Strategic Topics, and History). The project follows a six‑stage methodology: organizational design; creation of digital map prototypes using GIS (EPSG 4326); conversion of maps to HTML format via TileMill and Leaflet; assembly of the multimedia product; development of a web geoportal; and development of a mobile application (APK). Version 1.0 of the multimedia was released in 2019, containing 230 maps together with thematic texts, photographs, tables, and graphs. Version 1.1, currently being finalized, expands content and interactivity. The final platform will provide online services and mobile access, enabling systematic, rapid, and economical updates. The atlas synthesizes scientific results from national and international projects and serves as a tool for territorial planning, environmental management, education, and decision‑making. This initiative marks a pivotal shift in Cuban cartography from printed atlases to a dynamic, continuously updated digital framework, fostering accessibility and institutional integration.

José Manuel Mateo Rodriguez; Maira Celeiro Chaple; Pedro Acevedo Rodríguez; Dayniel Hernández Mestre; Alejandro Veranes Miranda

This paper explains the fundamental ideas behind the compilation of three maps in the "Landscape" section of the National Atlas of Cuba (Commemorative Edition for the 60th Anniversary of the Revolution, published in 2019). All three maps are at a scale of 1:1,000,000: the anthropogenic natural landscape map, the cultural landscape map, and the geographical regionalization map. Rather than separately characterizing natural, economic, social, and cultural elements, the authors emphasize their systematic interconnections within spatial patterns, as well as the individuality and uniqueness expressed through these patterns. The conceptual framework treats landscape as a conceptual system, adopting Carl Sauer's 1925 dichotomy of natural landscape/cultural landscape: culture is the agent, the natural area is the medium, and the cultural landscape is the result. The natural landscape is a whole composed of interconnected natural elements arranged in hierarchical spatial forms; the anthropogenic natural landscape results from the direct or indirect, conscious modification of natural structures and functions by humans; and the cultural landscape is the sensory, emotional, symbolic, and material image of a territory, encompassing visual landscape, perceived landscape, and valued landscape. Thus, landscape is a concrete manifestation of the Earth system, the human ecosystem, and geographic space, and also reflects residents' cognition and evaluation of their environment. The map compilation is based on the detailed description and cartographic representation of Cuba's regional and micro-regional landscape structures in the unpublished manuscript "Geographic Regions and Landscapes of Cuba." Located in the Caribbean and Central America, Cuba serves as a natural observatory for regional analysis, with its landscapes retaining traces of natural and historical change; under colonial, neocolonial, and nation-state projects, sugarcane plantations sought to promote spatial homogenization, and today Cuba faces the challenge of reconstructing regional and local identities. The geographical regionalization divides Cuba into 19 types of geographic regions, ranging from submarine platform plains and karstic swamp plains to carbonate, serpentinite, metamorphic, and volcanic mountain terrains, with an accompanying table listing numerous regional and local units. The authors conclude that the perception, understanding, and awareness of the landscapes and regions in which residents live should strengthen the connection between people and space, landscape, environment, and territory; culture, as a weapon for the rationale of human existence, can only be consolidated when people continually expand their knowledge and perception of their living space. Therefore, these landscape maps not only enhance understanding of Cuban geography but also contribute to the construction of regional and local identities, providing support for the cultural foundation of territorial management.