Finnish thematic atlases: an examination of their content and methodology

This paper presents a detailed study of Finnish thematic atlases, focusing on the four editions of the Atlas of Finland (1899, 1910, 1925, and 1960), with comparisons to four other significant thematic atlases. Each illustration (diagram or thematic map) is reduced to its essential components, and the resulting variables are analyzed: volume, topics, cartographic design, scale, areas described, areal units, points in time, and cartographic methods. The approach is quantitative, with results presented through generalized diagrams. These analyses are used to construct a comprehensive picture of Finnish thematic atlases and the changes in their construction methods and underlying philosophies.