Atlas récents en langue allemande

Summary

This article reviews the latest developments in German-language thematic atlases from the late 1960s to early 1970s. It notes that the production of thematic maps has now rivaled that of topographic maps, and focuses on analyzing the Tyrol Atlas, the Atlas of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Atlas of the Danube Countries, the Topographic Atlas of Hesse, and the Meyer thematic atlas series. The author argues that these atlases differ methodologically: some emphasize analytical description, others stress synthetic presentation, and still others innovate by pairing aerial photographs with maps. The article particularly praises the oceanography atlas in the Meyer series for its novelty, and points out the need to balance detail against overview, and analysis against synthesis, in atlas production.