Review of *The National Atlas of the United States*

Summary

This paper provides a cartographic technical review of *The National Atlas of the United States of America*, a large comprehensive atlas compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with over 80 federal agencies and more than 20 academic societies, published in 1970. The study examines the atlas’s compilation history, general characteristics, mathematical foundations, coordination and consistency in design, thematic structure, and other distinctive features. Methodologically, the evaluation compares the atlas’s design choices with those of other national atlases and against ideal cartographic principles. Key strengths identified include a well‑chosen page size, a systematic and unified scale series (with reference maps at 1:2,000,000 for states and 1:500,000 for cities, and thematic maps at 1:7,500,000, 1:17,000,000 and 1:34,000,000), adoption of a single Albers equal‑area conic projection with two standard parallels (29°N and 45°30′N), and strong efforts at unifying base maps, data, classifications, and symbology. The general reference maps are exceptionally detailed, and the thematic maps introduce contemporary topics such as air and water pollution, while using consistent representation methods that facilitate comparison. Deficiencies are also pointed out: the natural environment section lacks a colored relief map, mineral deposits, and Quaternary geology; the historical section is overweighted and contains irrelevant materials; certain economic themes, like water transport and fisheries, are incomplete or oversimplified; the socio‑cultural section omits education, culture, and other vital topics; and the inclusion of a separate “world maps” section disrupts scientific classification. The paper concludes that despite its shortcomings, the atlas represents a high level of cartographic achievement. A careful analysis of its strengths and weaknesses can offer valuable lessons for the compilation of China’s own national atlas.