R. Turćin · 1931
R. Turčín reviews the Atlas of the Czechoslovak Republic as publication begins in October, with subscriptions offered through 31 December 1931. Issued by the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts through Orbis with Foreign Ministry support, it is directed by J. Pantoflíček and an editorial board, with more than sixty specialist contributors. The planned eighteen installments will contain 442 maps on 54 sheets, covering physical geography, population, agriculture, industry, transport, commerce, finance and education. The Military Geographical Institute in Prague prints the maps at principal scales of 1:1,250,000, 1:2,500,000 and 1:5,000,000; a roughly 280-page geographical-statistical encyclopedia is planned to explain the maps and analyze their data. Turčín surveys completed sheets on relief, geology, climate, population, soils, crops, livestock, food industries and foreign trade, noting agricultural measures expressed per inhabitant and per unit of land. He also outlines forthcoming historical, hydrographic, biogeographical, nationality, migration and transport maps. He praises the atlas's breadth, presentation and printing, judges it superior to the atlases of Pfohl and Čihaš, and anticipates its value for geographical, economic and sociological study and for representing Czechoslovak scholarship abroad.
Fr. Říkovský · 1936
The review assesses the 1935 Atlas of the Czechoslovak Republic, edited by Jaroslav Pantoflíček and prepared over fifteen years. Its 55 sheets contain 504 maps and cartograms by 55 contributors, accompanied by explanatory text edited by Václav Láska. The reviewer praises its drawing and printing at the Military Geographical Institute and regards its treatment of statistical data as its greatest contribution. Map-specific scales derived from frequency curves distinguish normal, above-normal and below-normal values; Antonín Boháč’s demographic maps also use substantive analysis to determine class boundaries. His nationality map combines population proportions and absolute numbers, although the reviewer criticizes potentially misleading symbol placement. The review also notes inconsistent reference dates, methodological differences and defects in individual maps. Economic subjects occupy 49% of the maps, demography 25.8% and natural conditions 12.5%. The reviewer argues that this analytical emphasis inadequately serves the editors’ aim of informing foreign audiences about the country: geographical synthesis, cultural landscapes and regional development receive insufficient attention. He concludes that the atlas demonstrates the strength of Czechoslovak statistics but represents a missed opportunity for geography.
Kuchař · 1936
Kuchař reviews the 1935 Atlas of the Czechoslovak Republic, issued by the Czech Academy of Sciences with Foreign Ministry support and published by Orbis in Prague. Its 55 map sheets have accompanying texts in Czech, French, German, or English. Work began in 1921 and took fifteen years; the Military Geographical Institute carried out printing over the final six years. Introductory maps and essays address the country's European position, history, and geography, followed by sections on natural conditions, population, agriculture, mining, metallurgy, industry, transport, trade, education, and physical training. A concluding essay by Professor Láska explains statistical methods he advocated. Kuchař considers the atlas successful in showing relationships between geographical and economic phenomena, while noting that its data differ in comparability and date. Most cover the preceding decade, with some reliance on the 1921 census. The newest usable material was processed down to the smallest administrative and areal units, allowing generalization to follow the phenomena represented rather than limitations of the statistics. He describes extensive discussion and compromises during compilation, praises the atlas as the best geographical portrayal of Czechoslovakia, and expects improvements in a future edition. He also regards it as a lasting national document for presentation abroad.
