Erik A. Ellehoj · 1991
This review evaluates the third edition of the National Atlas of Panama as a governmental planning tool and regional reference work. Drawing on data from more than twenty public agencies and major censuses conducted between 1980 and 1983, the atlas presents 304 maps, 211 graphs, and 51 explanatory texts across fifteen thematic sections. Its consistent scales, projections, page design, colour schemes, and integration of maps with statistical material generally demonstrate sound cartographic practice. Weaknesses include occasional printing and registration errors, awkward lettering, abstract symbols that impede interpretation, and poorly applied graph patterns. Nevertheless, the atlas assembles otherwise difficult-to-access information with exceptional breadth and clarity. The reviewer concludes that its data quality, thoroughness, and presentation surpass those of many comparable Latin American and developing-world atlases, making it highly valuable for government planning, library reference, teaching, and research on Panama and Latin America.
Robert B. Kent · 1995
The review treats the 1988 Atlas nacional de la República de Panamá as the third edition of Panama's national atlas, after 1965 and 1975, and notes that it expands thematic coverage considerably, with the editors claiming about half the thematic content is new; Japanese technical and financial assistance is acknowledged. The 222-page full-color atlas measures 18.5 by 15 inches and presents about half its maps at 1:1,000,000 across two facing pages, with large-scale Panama City maps in the industry section and maps of trade, canal traffic, telecommunications, tourist origins, and Panamanians abroad. More than 70 percent is maps and about 20 percent text, with each map accompanied by description or interpretation, graphs or tables, sources, and sometimes statistical methodology; fifteen chapters cover physical environment and agriculture (nearly 40 percent), population, education and culture, health and social conditions, industry, transport and commerce (about the same share), reference maps (10 percent), and land resources, forestry and fishing, services, and electoral conditions (10 percent). The reviewer judges it intellectually and technically high in quality, with focused, clearly presented maps and broad, balanced thematic content, and only minor color registration and color-scheme problems.
