Bengal In Maps

Reviews: Bengal in Maps

Masefield, G. B. · 1951

Some Recent Regional Atlases: A Review

Walter W. Ristow; Niels Nielsen; Axel Schou; W. E. Calvert; Hugo Hassinger · 1951

This review examines sixteen noteworthy general and topical regional atlases published during the past decade, representing eleven countries. It applies the Wright-Platt classification of atlases, distinguishing between general regional and topical regional works. The atlases discussed include French thematic volumes on viticulture, textiles, peat bogs, and hydroelectric power, as well as national and regional atlases from Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, Tanganyika, India, Australia, and Brazil. The review assesses their organization, cartographic quality, editorial collaboration, and scholarly utility. It finds that such specialized atlases serve primarily researchers and serious users, and that many reflect the growing practical needs of regional planning, resource appraisal, and national self-knowledge. The cooperative production of the Atlas of Denmark is singled out as exemplary, while the rainfall atlas of Brazil fills an important gap in South American climatic studies. The review concludes that regional atlases make significant contributions to geographical scholarship and inter-institutional collaboration.

Taking Stock in India and Pakistan: A Review

O. H. K. Spate · 1950

This article, written by O. H. K. Spate, is a review of geographical works produced in India and Pakistan shortly after their independence. The author first traces the development of geography as a young discipline in India, noting its low academic status and uneven output, but acknowledging real progress. He then evaluates a series of books: Srivastava's survey reveals inadequate library resources and other academic problems; Nafis Ahmad's "The Basis of Pakistan" analyzes the geographical rationale for Pakistan's creation; Pithawalla's books on Karachi and Pakistan contain vivid details but occasional errors; Chakravarti's "Economic Geography of West Bengal" is poor, while Chatterjee's "Bengal in Maps" and Bose's "The Damodar Valley Project" are commended; Deshpande's "Western India" is a pioneering regional monograph; and Dr. Thomas's "India's Basic Industries" offers a detailed factual survey showing wartime industrial expansion and imbalance. The author concludes that Indian geography, though still immature, holds great promise, with vast uncharted research areas remaining, and these books collectively signify a promising beginning for geography in the newly independent states.