Gérard Brasseur · 1968
This note introduces the first eight map sheets of the International Atlas of West Africa, outlining the project’s origins, production, contents, and scholarly significance. Conceived at the 1945 Conference of West Africanists and coordinated by IFAN, the initiative was later endorsed by an Organization of African Unity scientific body and supported by the Ford Foundation. The initial installment covers West Africa’s global setting, seas and coasts, climate, political and administrative divisions, and zoogeography, using several cartographic scales and bilingual French-English explanatory notes. Although this release addresses regional documentation needs only partially, the planned atlas will eventually comprise about fifty sheets, including relief, land use, education, and health facilities. By treating West Africa as an integrated geographical region, the atlas promises to illuminate both contrasts and similarities across political boundaries while demonstrating the importance of sustained institutional and scholarly collaboration.
François Bourlière · 1969
P. Kraske · 1969
P. Kraske introduces the long-planned bilingual International Atlas of West Africa, whose first sheets appeared in autumn 1968. Its approximately 50 maps are intended to cover physical geography and human topics, including geology, soils, climate, history, languages, population density, industrialisation and urban planning. Spreads measuring about 53 × 76 cm allow the whole region to be shown at the principal scale of 1:5,000,000; other scales are also used. Each map has an explanatory sheet documenting sources and providing diagrams and tables. The first shipment gives substantial attention to fauna and climate, including animal distributions, rainfall, temperature, humidity and monthly seasonal changes. IFAN’s geographical department in Dakar collects and edits the scientific material; publication is reported to have African Unity organisation patronage and Ford Foundation assistance. Kraske expects the atlas to enrich knowledge of West Africa and its resources for economic, social and cultural needs.
