Thematic Atlas of Italy IV: Cultural Heritage and Environment

L'Atlante Tematico d'Italia del Touring Club Italiano

Marcello Ricci · 1995

This article reviews the long and troubled history of the Italian National Thematic Atlas, published by the Touring Club Italiano, from early failed attempts to the eventual agreement between the CNR and the TCI in 1980. It details the atlas's structure, content, and cartographic methods: the work comprises 126 plates divided into four volumes, covering physical environment, population and settlements, economic activities, and cultural heritage, aiming to illustrate Italy's profound demographic, economic, social, and cultural transformations between the 1951 and 1981 censuses. The atlas employs the Lambert equivalent conic projection with base scales of 1:4,000,000 and 1:8,000,000, balancing scientific rigor with public accessibility. The article also assesses the atlas's value for academic research, teaching, and public awareness, concluding that it fills a long-standing gap in Italian national cartography, and anticipates future updates through computer-assisted cartography.