Buchbesprechungen: National Atlas of the United States

Summary

This review discusses the National Atlas of the United States, published in 1958 by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington D.C. Building on earlier achievements of various U.S. government mapping agencies, the atlas is intended for public information and study, with plans for continuous additions that users may bind or keep loose. Each sheet, measuring 56.5 × 41 cm, presents one or more phenomena, including climate maps covering the entire U.S. and the distribution of climatic factors, overviews of soil surveys and aerial photography, and notably maps by the Bureau of the Census on agricultural development and regional differentiation. These include numerous small maps (mostly using dot distribution) of key products, as well as those on overall land-use patterns, farm sizes, ownership, and related aspects, often supplemented by cartograms illustrating growth or relative significance. The reverse sides provide explanatory text. Overall, it constitutes an excellent cartographic compilation, valuable for those engaged with New World issues.