Estonia爱沙尼亚

Curatorial Note

The tradition of national atlases in Estonia is a relatively recent but meaningful chapter in the country’s cartographic history. Emerging in the post-Soviet era, when Estonia re-established its independence and sought to reaffirm its national identity, the atlas project was a deliberate effort to present the nation’s geography, culture, and society through a modern, comprehensive lens. The sole atlas in this collection, *The National Atlas of Estonia* (2019), was produced by the University of Tartu’s Department of Geography in collaboration with the mapping company Regio. This single-volume work, published in English, reflects a meticulous editorial approach: it integrates thematic layers—physical landscape, population, economy, and cultural heritage—into a cohesive narrative, using advanced GIS technology and high-quality cartographic design. Its publication marked a milestone, as it was the first comprehensive national atlas since the country’s independence, filling a long-standing gap. The atlas has since served as a key reference for researchers, educators, and policymakers, and it stands as a testament to Estonia’s commitment to scientific accuracy and national self-representation in the 21st century.