Atlas of Peru
Atlas del Perú
Peru · Unknown · 1989
Related Reviews & Articles
Homenaje a la Patria: Latin American National Atlases
Kent, Robert B. · 1995
This review essay examines six national atlases of Latin America produced between 1985 and 1992: those of Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia. Its purpose is to evaluate their cartographic quality, thematic coverage, and scholarly value using comparative content analysis. The atlases vary notably in design and depth. Mexico’s three-volume loose-leaf atlas offers exceptional thematic breadth and innovative layout but lacks an index. Cuba’s monumental volume excels in high-quality cartography and detailed treatment of the physical environment. Colombia’s fourth edition concentrates heavily on reference mapping, often at the expense of thematic richness, while Peru’s atlas integrates extensive textual commentary with department-level satellite images. Panama’s atlas achieves a balanced mix of maps and interpretative text, while Bolivia’s version, though visually appealing, omits critical economic geography and fails to provide a geographical index or full bibliography. All volumes contain a wealth of original, primary-source-based information on physical, historical, social, and economic conditions. The review concludes that, despite their individual shortcomings, these atlases are indispensable reference works for any academic library supporting Latin American studies, serving as enduring resources for interdisciplinary research.
Reviews: Atlas del Perú
Gonzalez, Alfonso · 1994
This review evaluates the new "Atlas del Perú," a state-sponsored encyclopedic national atlas directed by Carlos Peñaherrera del Aguila and produced under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and the Instituto Geográfico Nacional. It substantially updates the previous 1963–70 atlas. The work integrates extensive textual exposition with a wide array of multi-scale maps, tables, photographs, and Landsat/Spot satellite imagery. Organized from introductory astronomy and cartography through historical, political, and physical landscapes to economic and population themes, the volume concludes with departmental maps and a substantial 100-page supplementary text section. The atlas is distinguished by its remarkable thematic breadth: beyond standard physical and socioeconomic topics, it includes notable maps on poverty indicators, pathology and health, desertification and reforestation, old maps and engravings, and Peru's Antarctic presence. The detailed text, statistical tables, and comprehensive place-name index greatly enhance its utility. Nevertheless, the review identifies organizational weaknesses: satellite images are interspersed with prefatory material before the table of contents, climatic discussions interrupt geological sequences, and thematically linked topics such as urban development, migration, and spontaneous settlements are scattered, while related educational and literacy data appear in isolated sections. A closer integration of the lengthy closing text with the corresponding maps and images in the earlier part would improve coherence. Despite these structural shortcomings, the atlas constitutes a major contribution to Peruvian studies, offering a rich compendium of high-quality cartographic, visual, and descriptive information essential for understanding the country.
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