Suomen Kartasto 1960

Summary

Finland produced the world's first national atlas in 1899; the fourth edition appeared in 1960. This report outlines how the Geographical Society of Finland, having initiated the project in 1953, collaborated with the University of Helsinki's Department of Geography to compile the new work. Since existing map material was unsuitable, the department's staff adapted data and drafted most maps. The atlas comprises 415 maps (versus 275 in the previous edition), achieved largely by smaller scales; stronger colours improve legibility. Temporal dynamics are depicted using paired maps, curves, and 106 corner diagrams, while standardized colour scales allow inter-map comparison. By 1960 all maps were printed; the atlas was published in February 1961, followed by a Finnish text volume in May 1961 and an English one in April 1962. The article documents a significant achievement in Finnish and international cartography.