The National Atlas of Canada
Canada · · 1974
Related Reviews & Articles
Canada's National Atlas Program in The Computer Era
Groot, Richard · 1979
Canada's National Atlas Program has historically aimed to provide a timely cartographic synthesis of the country's geography for government administration and public understanding. This paper examines the function, evolving design, and technological transformation of the program in the computer era. Drawing on user needs analysis and cost-benefit considerations, the study identifies four primary user groups: government administrators, researchers, educators, and the public. To meet their diverse information needs, the 5th Edition abandons the traditional bound volume in favor of a dynamic, two-part system: a decennial Canada Gazetteer Atlas and an ongoing Thematic Atlas comprising large-scale data base sheets and interpretive overview sheets. The program emphasizes ready access to factual spatial data, with users free to combine maps for custom analyses. The paper further argues that digital technology, despite high initial investment, is inevitable due to the increasing availability of digital data and user demand for flexible spatial queries. However, cost-effectiveness hinges on designing a data base management system that enables on-demand map production and analysis from an integrated data base, rather than merely automating map drawing. Such an approach is expected to significantly enhance the atlas's utility and justify its continued evolution. The paper concludes that the national atlas function—providing an executive summary of national geography and rapid source reference—is more urgent than ever in the digital age, and Canada's program is being repositioned as a dynamic, digitally-enabled data base to fulfill that role.
Introduction to Foreign Atlases
Unknown · 1984
This paper provides a comprehensive review of a selection of major world and national atlases produced in the twentieth century, including works from the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, and other European and North American countries. Through detailed description and comparative analysis, the study examines the content, cartographic design, projection selection, symbolization, and overall scientific and ideological quality of these atlases. Key findings highlight the remarkable scope and systematic organization of atlases such as the Soviet *Great Soviet World Atlas*, *Atlas Mira*, and *Morskoi Atlas*, which emphasize socialist economic achievements and anti‑imperialist perspectives. British publications like *The Times Atlas of the World* and *The Times Atlas of World History* are noted for their comprehensive reference value and continuous revision, while the German *Berghaus Physikalischer Atlas* pioneered thematic physical geography mapping. The review also evaluates the innovative representations in the *Swiss Atlas*, the detailed environmental and socio‑economic coverage in the *Canadian* and *American National Atlases*, and the high‑quality design of the *Japanese National Atlas*. Several atlases are critiqued for projection inconsistencies, poor layout, or politically biased boundary depictions. The paper concludes that these atlases collectively reflect the evolution of modern cartography and serve as indispensable tools for geographical research, land‑use planning, and education, while also revealing the diverse political and scientific contexts of their production.
The Evolution of the Atlas of Canada, 1906–2006
Claire Gosson · 2006
This article reviews the century-long evolution of the Atlas of Canada from its first edition in 1906 to the online sixth edition launched in 1999 and its subsequent development up to 2006. Drawing on archival maps and historical documents, the author traces how each edition responded to changing national needs and technological capabilities. The early editions (1906, 1915) were small-scale paper atlases focused on basic physical and human geography, while the third edition (1957/58) incorporated more comprehensive land-use and economic data. The fourth edition (1974) changed its name to the National Atlas of Canada and adopted a continuing program; the fifth edition (1978–1995) pioneered digital cartography and a standardized database at 1:2,000,000 compilation scale. The sixth edition, launched online in 1999, transformed the atlas into an interactive, Web-based geographic information system, emphasizing accessibility and partnership. The article argues that the atlas has always served twin purposes: as a utilitarian planning tool and as a means of fostering national identity and international understanding. Its evolution reflects broader shifts in cartography, from static printed maps to dynamic geospatial data services. The author concludes that the Atlas of Canada remains a leading national online atlas, and its future will be shaped by continued advances in information technology.
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