Walter W. Ristow · 1951
Ristow reviews the early fascicules of the loose-leaf Atlas général du Congo, first issued by the Institut Royal Colonial Belge in 1948. He traces the project from its planning in 1933 through wartime interruption and resumption in December 1946. By the end of 1950, four fascicules and an introductory section had appeared, with nine more in press or preparation. The introduction contains a 1:3,000,000 map of the Congo and Ruanda-Urundi and an index of over 4,800 names. Seven subject divisions cover history, geodesy, physical environment, biogeography, anthropology and culture, political and social conditions, and the economy; decimal classification allows expansion. Thematic maps were planned at 1:5,000,000, with French and Flemish text, titles and legends. Ristow regards the work as ambitious and more comprehensive than René de Rouck's separate atlas. His account concerns the early publication stage, not the completed 1964 manifestation.
