Atlas of Colombia

Geographical atlas of Colombia

С. В. Зонн; Р. С. Нарских; Н. А. Тимофеева · 1970

This article provides a comprehensive review of the second edition of the 'Atlas of Colombia', published in 1969 by the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute. Financed by the Bank of the Republic and the Coffee Bank, and compiled with the participation of various national institutions, the atlas represents a significant achievement in the series of comprehensive geographic atlases of Latin American countries. The article first traces the history of Colombian cartography, noting the atlas's lineage from important works published in 1889, 1906-1910, and 1959-1964. The atlas contains 169 maps (including 23 city plans), an index of about 5,200 place names, and extensive illustrative material, covering themes such as history, nature, population, economy, and transport, with introductory sections on cosmography, astronomy, and cartography. The article offers a detailed analysis of the content and characteristics of maps by theme: historical maps depict the distribution of the ancient Chibcha people and colonial history; physical maps cover geology, seismology, climate, and soils, with climate maps being relatively detailed while geomorphology and hydrology are less developed; economic maps address mining, energy, industry, and agriculture but lack crucial topics like land tenure; transport maps show road, rail, water, and air networks. The article points out several shortcomings, such as the schematic nature of some maps, the omission of important themes, and certain compilation errors. Nevertheless, it concludes that the atlas is rich in content and beautifully designed, holding significant cultural, educational, and scientific value as a key reference for understanding Colombia. The article also notes updates in statistical data and content in this edition.