Cartographical Progress: Atlas of Canada

Summary

This is an academic review of the official Atlas of Canada, published in 1957 (released 1959). The review traces the atlas's historical background, noting that its first two editions appeared in 1906 and 1915 respectively, while this new edition was prepared over eight or nine years by the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys. The review provides a detailed account of the atlas's contents and features, including 110 plates covering historical maps, physical geography, climate, geology, population, and economy. It offers professional commentary on the choice of projection, scale design, and the acknowledgment of sources on certain maps. The author concludes that the atlas is a magnificent work in both comprehensive coverage and technical excellence, reflecting Canada's pioneering role in post-war national geographical scholarship.