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.
Herbert Schlenger · 1960
The review describes the first four fascicles of Atlas Polski (Atlas of Poland), issued in Warsaw in 1953–1956 by the Polish Central Office of Geodesy and Cartography and the State Cartographic Publishing Enterprise. Each fascicle contains six map sheets, chiefly addressing the physical-geographical foundations of regional geography. Fascicle I covers historical maps, political territory, soils, geology, geomorphology and gravity; II covers relief, hydrography, vegetation, forests and zoogeography; III presents climate, monthly temperatures, precipitation, pressure and selected weather situations; IV treats Poland’s world and European setting, geological formations, meadows and pastures, and phenological seasons. The reviewer links the choice between full-sheet and island maps, and between single-map and multiple-map layouts, to the source material and subject matter. The principal scale is 1:2,000,000, with several smaller auxiliary scales. The reviewer praises the scientific preparation and cartographic presentation, especially the colors, and judges the published sheets an enrichment of regional geographical literature on East-Central Europe, while noting that the form of future continuation remains unclear.
