Herbert Schlenger · 1955
The review describes the first three instalments of Atlas Polski, issued in Warsaw in 1953–1954 by the Central Office of Geodesy and Cartography and the State Cartographic Publishing Enterprise, each containing six sheets. The multicolour atlas alternates full-sheet maps with maps confined to the mapped territory, uses varying scales, mostly 1:2 million, and supplies a detailed water network on most sheets. Issue I covers historical maps, political divisions, soils, geology, geomorphology and gravity. Issue II covers elevation, hydrography, plant geography, flora and vegetation, forests and zoogeography; the reviewer singles out W. Szafer's plant-geographical overview as one of the richest maps in content. Issue III presents climate maps, including temperature, precipitation and pressure for six selected months, and typical weather situations from 1949–1952; E. Romer prepared the first two synthesis sheets. Because the published instalments provide no overview of the atlas's overall structure, the reviewer withholds a general judgment but considers the work in progress worthy of the geographical profession's attention.
E. Neef · 1957
The review assesses installments I–IV of Atlas Polski, listed as published in 1963–1966, each containing eight map sheets. Their coverage is predominantly physical geography; economic-geographical maps had not yet appeared. The reviewer notes that no fixed program or editorial board is stated, sheets are unnumbered, and thematic organization and quality are uneven, while valuing the collection as research material that could eventually underpin a conventional national atlas. Particular praise goes to geological maps compiled from 1:1 million source maps: W. Pożaryski and Z. Rühle’s map excluding Quaternary and Tertiary deposits depicts tectonic structure and permits reconstruction of Mesozoic surface relief, while E. Rühle and M. Sokołowska’s Quaternary map complements J. Kondracki’s geomorphological treatment. Kondracki’s extension beyond Poland’s borders facilitates comparison with German interpretations. The reviewer also singles out W. Szafer’s geobotanical regionalization in installment II. Muted printing, difficult-to-distinguish colors, and Polish-only explanations prompt recommendations for supplementary letter symbols and explanations in an international language. The reviewer regards the atlas as especially useful to geographers unable to read Polish scholarship.
Stefan Zmuda · 1959
Stefan Zmuda traces the planning, publication and interruption of Atlas Polski. Work began in 1948, with completion intended for 1953. The planned atlas used a 42 × 39 cm format, a principal scale of 1:2,000,000 and the Albers projection, with eight thematic divisions covering physical geography, population, agriculture and forestry, industry, transport and administration. Delays led to publication in fascicles. Four appeared in 1953–1956: the first covered historical maps and selected physical themes; the second, relief, water, vegetation and fauna; the third, climate; and the fourth, Poland’s location, geology, meadows and pastures, and phenology.
Zmuda reports that work stopped after these four fascicles. He judges the published selection insufficient to complete coherent thematic groups, reducing its scientific value, and considers the climate material too extensive for a national synthesis. He also criticizes the combination of meadows and pastures with physiographic regions. In his assessment, the ambitious project failed to fulfil its organizers’ hopes. He calls for its resumption, or for a new national atlas, in connection with Poland’s approaching millennium.
