Review: The national atlas of Romania is being completed

Summary

Bernard Rouleau reviews progress on Romania’s national atlas, citing the 1979 fascicle V of Atlasul Republicii Socialiste Romania, issued by the Institute of Geography in Bucharest as 14 separate colour plates. Prepared since 1967, the atlas was planned to contain 76 plates in 13 sections, with 487 maps at various scales and numerous supporting illustrations; physical geography would account for 35% and human and economic geography for 60%. Following the first eight plates published in 1972–1973, 62 maps appeared in 1974–1977 and another 64 in 1979, with commentary on the reverse in four languages, including French. Rouleau highlights relief, soils, landscapes, folk costumes, rural housing, population and economic activities, industrial distribution, and tourism. A general economic map depicts development in 1975, while a tourism plate details ten regions and their facilities and potential. He praises the plates’ scientific and documentary substance, careful production and continuity with earlier issues, and notes the substantial place-name index.