Književne obznane: Geograficzno-statystyczny atlas Polski

Summary

This review discusses the second edition of the Geograficzno-statystyczny Atlas Polski (Geographic-Statistical Atlas of Poland), published in 1921. The first edition appeared in 1915, during wartime, when Poles already felt the need to present their country's geographical relations to Europe regardless of contemporary political borders. Now that their justified national goal—the unification of all Poles—has been achieved, the author publishes a second edition with no major changes except political boundaries; only two new maps (VII and IX) were added. The atlas contains, alongside a comprehensive 26-page introduction, 34 maps in format (without frame) 25.55×30 cm, produced by the renowned cartographic institute Freytag and Berndt in Vienna. The data underlying the maps originate from 1910, making future comparisons with 1920–21 data genuinely valuable. Besides maps on hypsometry, geology, climate, and vegetation (one each), the atlas presents history, administration (1914 and 1920), population density (using a new method!), and population growth. There are maps on the distribution of Poles, religious denominations, latifundia, land exploitation, distribution of individual cultivated plants and animals, useful minerals, industries, and industrial classes, among others. The reviewer cannot verify the accuracy of all results due to lack of local sources, but given Romer's reputation as a conscientious worker, he places full confidence in his corrections. Technically, the atlas is indeed beautifully executed (in various colors) and precise: colors always remain within the framework of black lines, deserving praise for the aforementioned cartographic institute. Thus, both in content and technique, the Atlas of Poland can be called a successful work. The preface (text) is published in Polish and French.