Cartographical Survey: Atlas of Tanzania

Summary

This article reviews the Atlas of Tanzania, published in 1967 by the Surveys and Mapping Division, which was intended to serve as a resource for national development planning, replacing the 1957 Atlas of Tanganyika. Despite innovations such as new maps on potential land use, fisheries, and antiquities, the atlas remains strikingly similar to its predecessor in format and content. It notably lacks a communications map and a transparent population overlay, and fails to adequately address the needs of development planners. The author criticizes the atlas for its traditional conception of content and its expensive, high-quality format, which is impractical for a poor country and hinders timely updates. The article suggests that national atlases should instead include information on regional disparities, temporal changes, interregional flows, and infrastructure conditions. It concludes that this atlas is likely to be the last of its kind, as future efforts will need to be more aligned with practical development needs.