Atlas of Morocco

Reviews: Atlas of Morocco

Kormoss, I. B. F. · 1957

This paper comprises a biographical tribute to the historian of cartography Leo Bagrow (1881–1957?) and critical reviews of three contemporary atlases. The first section surveys Bagrow’s scholarly output, from his early bibliographic catalogues of 16th‑century printed maps and his studies of Ptolemy’s Geography to the posthumous publication of his comprehensive *History of Cartography*. It highlights his rigorous methodology: his insistence on consulting original sources, his unerring grasp of cartobibliographical detail, and his pioneering use of collotype facsimiles in the series *Anecdota Cartographica*. The discussion also notes the linguistic obstacle that forced Bagrow to rely on translators, which occasionally affected the final expression of his ideas, and records his deep concern for the continuation of the journal *Imago Mundi*. The second part offers detailed evaluations of the *Atlas du Maroc* (a thematic national atlas covering livestock, railways, and other economic topics), the *Atlas of Resources of British Columbia* (Canada’s first regional planning atlas, combining physical, human, and resource maps with explanatory texts), and the *Edinburgh World Atlas* (an academic reference atlas employing conventional layer coloring for relief). The reviews praise the Maroc atlas for its careful cartographic execution and thematic breadth, note the British Columbia atlas as a commendable model for future regional atlases, and critique the Edinburgh atlas for occasional ambiguous color choices in depression areas. Collectively, the paper affirms Bagrow’s lasting influence on map history while providing a snapshot of mid‑20th‑century atlas production and cartographic design standards.

Geographical Literature: Atlas of Morocco

Waldbaur, H. · 1956

The first four plates of a new national atlas of Morocco have been published. The large format (56 × 47 cm) allows scales of 1:2,000,000 for full-page maps and 1:4,000,000 for layouts with four maps per sheet. Full-page maps are printed with hypsometric tints in four delicate brownish tones, whereas the multi-map sheets appear on a white background. Plate 40a depicts the distribution of sheep and goats using graduated red and green circles in three size classes, complemented by a diagram of population variations since 1940 and an inset map of sheep breeds. Plate 40b comprises four separate maps presenting cattle and pigs, dromedaries, horses, and mules and donkeys. Plate 44a shows railway lines classified by track gauge and motive power, passenger traffic at major stations through sector diagrams, and city plans with environs maps of important localities. Plate 44b visualizes total freight traffic as well as flows of mining and agricultural products in four maps. The atlas is accompanied by a series of “Études et Documents” (initially providing transliteration rules for Arabic and Berber names) and an explanatory booklet for each sheet containing text maps and statistical tables. This ambitious cartographic undertaking is commended with best wishes for a smooth continuation and successful completion.

Reviews of books: Atlas du Maroc

Fisher, W. B. · 1961