Historical Contributions of Cartography: Congratulations on the Publication of the National General Atlas

Summary

This article celebrates the publication of the National General Atlas of the People's Republic of China and expounds the historical contributions of cartography to human spatial cognition. It first argues that maps are the most essential and irreplaceable tool for spatial cognition, demonstrating five functions: forming holistic mental images, providing correct visual estimation and comparability of spatial distributions, revealing spatial correlations among phenomena, integrating statistical and spatial information, and correcting erroneous environmental mental images. It then analyzes how the national atlas, by virtue of its integrated and serialized structure, offers a multi-dimensional environmental view, a zoomable nested cognition mode, and an improved spatial literacy for readers. In response to the challenge of new information technologies, the author contends that an atlas is not merely a technical product but a scientific achievement embodying accumulated civilization; it remains one of the most effective and convenient tools for spatial data visualization, and human creative design capability is still irreplaceable. Finally, the article reviews the compilation history and underscores the atlas's scientific, cultural, and historical significance.