The second edition of the National atlas of France — a new stage in the development of French geography and cartography

Summary

Evteev and Sluka review the second edition of the National Atlas of France, published in 1951–1958 under André Libault’s direction. Its 80 sheets contain more than 400 maps, schematic maps, plans, and graphs covering physical geography, the economy, administrative divisions, and population; most earlier maps were revised and new maps added. The reviewers commend the geomorphological, vegetation, energy, industrial-development, and population-distribution maps. They particularly praise the replacement of choropleth representation on the population-distribution map with located symbols and dots, which better conveys spatial variation. Their principal criticisms concern the shortage of synthetic physical and economic maps, regionalization maps, and maps of economic connections; inadequate coverage of agricultural production, industrial establishment size, and socioeconomic characteristics of the population; limited regional detail; and uneven cartographic detail and design. They also assess the suitability of statistical and geographically localized mapping techniques, recommend a more coherent sequence of sections, and advocate fuller use of sheet fronts and backs for explanatory text and supplementary material. Overall, they regard the edition as a substantial contribution to national atlas production.