National and Regional Atlases: A Bibliographic Survey

Summary

This bibliographic survey documents the development, scope, and worldwide distribution of national and regional atlases published up to and including 1978, with a supplementary inventory of Indian atlases extending to 1980. Originating in the work of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on National and Regional Atlases and subsequently prepared for publication by the International Cartographic Association, the volume represents an extensive international documentation project led by W. Stams with the assistance of Marianne Stams, E. Lehmann, and specialists from numerous countries. Its principal objective is to establish a systematic and critically evaluated record of atlases that portray entire states, subdivisions of states, groups of neighbouring countries, and other territorially defined regions through multiple thematic perspectives. The introductory study traces the historical development of terrestrial mapping and geographical atlases, reviews earlier methods of atlas bibliography, and proposes more consistent procedures for cartographic documentation. It identifies the bibliographic and cartographic sources consulted, specifies the descriptive data required for individual entries, and discusses the limitations of existing bibliographies. To organize a highly heterogeneous body of material, the survey classifies atlases primarily by territorial extent and thematic content. It distinguishes national atlases from other regional and multiregional works while emphasizing that every national atlas is regional in character, although not every regional atlas qualifies as national. Particular attention is given to comprehensive representations of natural conditions, population, economy, society, and culture, as well as to the role of atlases in reflecting the development of thematic cartography. The study also evaluates chronological trends, the distribution of atlas types, geographical patterns, and publication status. The main bibliography is arranged geographically and supported by codes, abbreviations, supplements, literature lists, and an alphabetical index. Its coverage extends across Europe, the Soviet Union and its constituent regions, Asia, Australia and Oceania, Africa, North and Latin America, polar territories, oceans, and broader transnational regions, including detailed listings for subnational units such as German Länder, United States states, Canadian provinces, and Australian states. Data were checked and expanded through consultation with approximately eighty experts and institutions in sixty countries, demonstrating the value of international scholarly cooperation. Nevertheless, uneven responses, inaccessible publications, divergent national practices, transliteration problems, and gaps in library holdings prevent complete global coverage. The work therefore presents itself not as a definitive catalogue but as a foundational reference requiring continuing correction and supplementation. Overall, it offers both a practical research tool and a comparative framework for studying atlas production, thematic-cartographic maturity, regional knowledge, and the historical evolution of national and regional representation.