Cartographical Progress: National Atlas of China

Summary

This review assesses the 'National Atlas of China' (1959-1962, 5 volumes), edited by Dr. Chang Chi-yun and published by the National War College in cooperation with the Chinese Geographical Institute. Continuing a long Chinese cartographic tradition, the atlas reflects Nationalist political views: it incorporates Outer Mongolia and Tannu Urianhai as Chinese territory, rejects the MacMahon Line in the Sino-Indian border dispute, and does not recognize administrative changes made by the People's Republic. Each province or region includes political and topographical maps at varying scales; the Taiwan volume (Vol. I) with its detailed regional maps and the 'major languages' map in Vol. V are particularly valuable. The review also notes contemporary articles in 'Imago Mundi' on early cartography, including the Cantino Map, French Florida, Dutch commercial publishing, and French national survey precursors.