Introduction to the National Atlas of China

Summary

This paper systematically introduces 13 representative atlases compiled in China since the 1950s, covering national atlases, provincial maps, physical atlases, historical atlases, world atlases, and regional/thematic atlases. For each atlas, it elaborates on compilation background, leading institutions, format specifications, projections, map group structures, content features, and compilation methods. Special attention is given to the eight map groups of the National Physical Atlas, the design concept of using communes as the smallest territorial units and the advantages of loose-leaf binding in the Jiangsu Agricultural Atlas, and the representation methods of thematic maps in the People's Commune Atlas. The paper aims to comprehensively reflect the technical evolution and academic achievements of atlas compilation in China, providing reference for cartographic history research and modern atlas production.