Iran伊朗

Curatorial Note

The Iranian national atlas tradition emerged against the backdrop of the country's ambitious modernization drive in the mid-twentieth century. The earliest volume in this collection, dating from 1972, was produced during the White Revolution era, reflecting the state's desire to document and project its developmental agenda through cartography. Over the following decades, the National Cartographic Center of Iran (Sazman-e Naqsheh Bardari-ye Keshvar) became the principal institutional force behind this endeavor, systematically publishing thematic volumes that expanded the scope of national mapping. The collection showcases a distinctive editorial approach: each volume is dedicated to a single theme—geology, handicrafts, historical geography—rather than attempting a comprehensive single-volume treatment. This modular structure allowed for deep specialization and reflected a scientific, rather than purely administrative, orientation. The 1994 and 1997 volumes exemplify this rigorous, data-driven style, while the 1999 historical atlas demonstrates a turn toward cultural heritage. The 2007 general atlas represents a synthesis, offering an integrated overview. Together, these six volumes trace a trajectory from developmental propaganda to scholarly reference, establishing a lasting template for national self-representation in the region and influencing subsequent cartographic projects in the Middle East.