Panama巴拿马
Curatorial Note
AI-curated draftThe national atlas tradition of Panama began in the mid-20th century, reflecting the country's efforts to consolidate its national identity and geographic knowledge. The first atlas, published in 1965, laid the groundwork for a series that would evolve over five decades. The 1975 edition, produced by the Comisión del Atlas de Panamá, marked a collaborative institutional approach, while the 1988 edition continued this trajectory. After a 20-year gap, the fourth edition appeared in 2008, published by the “Tommy Guardia” National Geographic Institute, signaling a revival of the tradition. The most recent edition, in 2016, underscores the atlas's ongoing relevance. These atlases are characterized by their comprehensive mapping of Panama's physical, social, and economic geography, often in Spanish and French, reflecting the country's cultural and diplomatic ties. They serve as essential references for scholars, planners, and the public, documenting Panama's changing landscape and reinforcing its national narrative. The series stands as a testament to the enduring importance of cartography in nation-building.
The Shelves
Contemporary and Later Comment
- Article1995Homenaje a la Patria: Latin American National Atlases
Kent, Robert B.
This review essay examines six national atlases of Latin America produced between 1985 and 1992: those of Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia. Its purpose is to evaluate their cartographic quality, thematic coverage, and scholarly value using comparative content analysis. The atlases vary notably in design and depth. Mexico’s three-volume loose-leaf atlas offers exceptional thematic breadth and innovative layout but lacks an index. Cuba’s monumental volume excels in high-quality cartography and detailed treatment of the physical environment. Colombia’s fourth edition concentrates heavily on reference mapping, often at the expense of thematic richness, while Peru’s atlas integrates extensive textual commentary with department-level satellite images. Panama’s atlas achieves a balanced mix of maps and interpretative text, while Bolivia’s version, though visually appealing, omits critical economic geography and fails to provide a geographical index or full bibliography. All volumes contain a wealth of original, primary-source-based information on physical, historical, social, and economic conditions. The review concludes that, despite their individual shortcomings, these atlases are indispensable reference works for any academic library supporting Latin American studies, serving as enduring resources for interdisciplinary research.
- Article2008Presentación del Atlas Nacional de la República de Panamá
Vianca Cedeño; Aracelly Franco; Aracelis Ortega; Jaime Toral B.
This paper presents the fourth edition of the National Atlas of the Republic of Panama, published by the “Tommy Guardia” National Geographic Institute in 2008, ending a 20-year gap since the previous edition. It was prepared mainly by the Applied Geography Department, with the collaboration of a national commission of government and autonomous institutions. The atlas compiles and standardizes geospatial data from national censuses and thematic studies, using various cartographic scales and a digital format compatible with GIS. It covers physical, social, economic, and cultural topics, including maps of the Panama Canal region. The atlas aims to provide a flexible reference for education, research, and national planning, and to help citizens understand and value their geographic reality in a globalized world.
From the Physical Collection
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