National Atlas of India (Selected Maps)
India · · 1968
Related Reviews & Articles
Cartographical Survey: National Atlas of India (fascicule)
Anson, R. W. · 1978
This paper offers critical reviews of two significant cartographic and historical works. The first review assesses the 1977 fascicule of the *National Atlas of India*, prepared by the National Atlas Organisation. It traces the atlas’s evolution from a preliminary Hindi edition (1957) and a partial English version (1968) to the present expanded edition, which incorporates regional data from various Indian states. The review describes the physical format (loose-leaf, folded plates at scales of 1:1M, 1:2M, and 1:6M), the planned scope of at least 234 maps, and the thematic content covering physical geography, population, transport, and tourism. While acknowledging the ambitious nature of this national inventory, the reviewer identifies several weaknesses: inconsistent temporal baselines (reliance on 1951 census for large-scale maps versus 1961 data elsewhere), a production span of up to fifteen years for certain sections that undermines comparability, uneven print quality, and suboptimal organization of thematic plates. Despite these shortcomings, the work is praised as a fascinating and useful publication. The second review introduces a new assessment of William Roy, marking the 250th anniversary of his birth. It draws attention to a paper by Dr J. B. Harley published in the *Chartered Surveyor* (1978), which re-evaluates Roy’s role in the founding of the Ordnance Survey after two centuries. Together, the reviews highlight both the monumental challenges of compiling a comprehensive national atlas and the ongoing scholarly reappraisal of foundational figures in surveying.
Cartographic representation of data in the National Atlas of India
G. K. Dutt · 1968
This study examines cartographic techniques for socio-economic maps at 1:6,000,000 scale in the National Atlas of India. Traditional dot symbols remain effective for agricultural distributions, while proportional squares replace circles for urban population mapping. For concentrated industrial areas, combinations of proportional sectors, squares, and circles represent multi-unit data clearly. Pictorial symbols arranged linearly improve readability over conventional geometric marks. The findings offer practical guidance for thematic map design.
Cartographic representation of data in the National Atlas of India
G. K. Dutt · 1972
After completing the Hindi volume of the National Atlas of India in 1957, the English edition was planned as fascicules with about 300 plates. This paper examines the cartographic methods used for the 1:6 million socio-economic maps, covering agriculture, livestock, industry, commerce, finance, economy and social conditions. Because published statistics were often too generalized or unsuitable for mapping, the Atlas made special requisitions to state agencies, used co-ordinating officers, and processed data in a statistical section. For crops and livestock, dot maps were adopted, with dots placed on arable land and values averaged over five years. Proportional circles were found unsuitable at 1:6 million and were replaced by proportional squares for urban population and hospital beds, with insets for congested areas. A combination of circles and squares distinguished livestock markets from fairs. Sector diagrams proved effective for showing several activities at one location, while semi-circles represented production and capacity in cement, water supply and port maps. The chemical and pharmaceutical map had to combine sectors, squares and circles for data measured in tonnes, litres and units. For handicrafts and house types, realistic pictorial symbols and photographically reduced pictures were more effective. The study concludes that the choice of graphic method must depend on map scale, data characteristics and congestion; when carefully selected and combined, these methods can present a clear, accurate and integrated picture of the country's socio-economic conditions.
Tags
Comments
Loading…
0/2000