Anmeldelser: Atlas of Israel

Summary

This is an academic review of the "Atlas of Israel" and the "Atlas der Republik Österreich". The former, published jointly by the Survey of Israel and Elsevier in 1970, comprises approximately 550 maps with detailed textual commentary, covering topics in physical geography, human and economic geography, and history. The review notes that the atlas extends beyond the 1948 State of Israel to include the ceasefire lines with Syria and Jordan, as well as the Gaza Strip, roughly corresponding to the boundaries of the 1920 Palestine Mandate. Key issues discussed include the region's freshwater economy, the influx of nearly two million Jewish immigrants, and the resulting socio-economic restructuring and political conflicts. The atlas is praised for its comprehensive and technically impressive presentation of a complex and strategically significant area. The latter work, the fourth volume of the Austrian atlas, contains 20 map sheets characterized by thematic diversity and detailed analysis, exemplified by a hydrogeological map with 60 symbols, providing a rich depiction of the country's water resources.