Atlas of Canada
Canada · Department of the Interior · 1906
Related Reviews & Articles
Some elements in the development of the national atlas of canada
Nicholson, N. L. · 1961
The problems of producing an atlas of Canada that shows the nature, extent and use of the physical resources and their effect on the country’s economy and society are intensified by the great size of the country. its federal political structure, and its bilingual culture. The work of compiling the information was organized by the Geographical Branch in cooperation with other governmental agencies that either produce maps or have source material. As it was impractical to produce a bilingual atlas, separate English and French editions were prepared, the nomenclature in the French edition being based on local usage, and French equivalents used for the geographical terminology. In addition to providing a record of what is known and unknown, the atlas provides a plan for future geographical research, and will be revised as new data become available.
The Evolution of the Atlas of Canada, 1906–2006
Gosson, Claire · 2006
This paper traces the century-long evolution of the Atlas of Canada from its first print edition in 1906 to its dynamic online sixth edition in 2006, examining how changing national needs and technological advances reshaped its purpose, design, and production. Drawing on historical records and cartographic analysis, the study reviews each edition’s content, scale, and format, using the western portion of a representative map to illustrate visual and structural transformations over time. The first (1906) and second (1915) editions provided small-scale thematic maps of physical, demographic, and economic geography for a young nation focused on settlement and resource development. Following World War II, the third edition (1957/1958) responded to demands for comprehensive geographical information for planning, while the fourth (1974) adopted a folio format and recognized the Atlas as both a planning tool and a reflection of national identity. The fifth edition (1978–1995) pioneered digital cartography, standardized base maps, and initiated a serial map publication from a 1:2,000,000 database. By the sixth edition (1999), the Atlas became an Internet-based interactive platform, transforming into a living database that integrates geospatial data and partnerships. The findings show a shift from static printed volumes to a flexible online service that enhances accessibility, interactivity, and collaboration. This evolution demonstrates how a national atlas can remain authoritative and relevant by embracing information technology, ultimately serving as both a national showcase and an educational resource in an information society.
A List of Atlases: Atlas of Canada
Goode, J. Paul · 1918
This paper presents a comparative evaluation of six atlases published in the early twentieth century (1904–1916), assessing their cartographic design, informational richness, production quality, and value for users. The analysis is based on a qualitative examination of physical specifications—such as dimensions, binding, colour plates, map types, text supplements, indexes, and price—to draw conclusions about the state of atlas-making in the Anglophone and Francophone worlds. The review begins with a fragmentary reference to an unnamed British imperial atlas, notable for a 70‑page index with geographical coordinates and a 134‑page gazetteer. White’s “Atlas of Canada” (1906) earns high praise for its completeness and excellent colour maps, mounted on stubs. Reclus’s “Atlas de la plus Grande France” (circa 1916) is singled out as a masterpiece: 160 colour maps, each double‑page spread accompanied by text or black‑and‑white diagrams, presenting maximal information in an aesthetically refined manner. The author laments that no English‑language atlas matches its value or craftsmanship. Rand McNally’s “International Atlas of the World” (1915) is judged a solid American reference work, employing wax‑process printing and offering detailed U.S. statistics at a modest price. Schrader’s “Atlas de Géographie Moderne” (1904) exemplifies the French tradition of page‑efficiency, with double‑page colour maps backed by monochrome graphics and text, particularly comprehensive on France and its colonies; its geographic vision is held to align with the best American ideals. Hammond’s “Comprehensive Atlas,” by contrast, represents low‑cost production with cursory drawing and careless workmanship, although it remains functional as a pocket reference. The survey reveals a stark quality spectrum: sophisticated French atlases like those of Reclus and Schrader set a benchmark for integrated physical‑economic cartography and presentational elegance, while less expensive English‑language alternatives often compromise detail and drawing quality. The paper implicitly advocates a model that combines rigorous geographic content with a clear, user‑oriented layout—a standard that, in the author’s view, was then best realised by French atlas publishers.
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