Book Reviews: Saint Lucia Planning Atlas; Suriname Planatlas

Summary

This review examines the Saint Lucia Planning Atlas (1987) and the Suriname Planatlas (1988), both published by the Organization of American States' Department of Regional Planning. The author notes that these atlases aim to map natural and human resources to support development planning in Caribbean nations. While the Saint Lucia atlas features visually appealing maps, its accompanying booklet lacks narrative and analytical content, limiting its utility. In contrast, the Suriname atlas integrates maps with explanatory texts in Dutch and English, offering historical background, statistical data, and thematic coverage, making it more valuable for social scientists. The review underscores the importance of such spatial references in understanding the cultural, social, and historical configurations shaped by ecological and physical endowments.