Literature: Physical-economic atlas of Italy

This is an academic review of the Atlante Fisico-Economico d'Italia, published in 1940. Compiled by the Italian Tourist Association to commemorate its 40th anniversary, the atlas represents a significant addition to the series of national atlases initiated by the Atlas of Finland. The review notes that the atlas, based on comprehensive statistical data and prepared by 23 experts over about four years, covers physical geography, population, agriculture, industry, power supply, and communications, with accompanying bibliographies and commentaries. While innovative cartographic methods, such as isometric mapping for regional distribution, are employed, the review identifies several shortcomings: insufficient coverage of soil, agriculture, fisheries, mining, and foreign trade, as well as readability issues in some economic maps due to inconsistent symbol design. Overall, the atlas is praised as a lasting contribution to Italian geographical research, with the hope that Sweden might produce a similar national atlas in the future.