The atlas of Paris

Summary

Yvonne Rebeyrôl introduces the Atlas of Paris and the Paris Region, completed after five years under J. Beaujeu-Garnier and J. Bastié. The fourth French regional atlas to be published, it contains 92 plates with 350 maps and a 950-page commentary volume. Its chapters cite sources including INSEE, prefectural and ministerial services, social security and educational authorities. The commentaries explain the plates through text, diagrams, graphs and additional maps, usually beginning with a historical account. The article presents selected maps in simplified form and extracts from their commentaries. Rebeyrôl outlines the atlas’s progression from comparisons with other world metropolises to the physical environment, urban development, population, transport and economic activities. Paris has a small area but high population density among major cities, and urban development has altered waterways, relief and climate. Agriculture remains important nearby: large farms are becoming more numerous, while cattle often remain in small herds. Industry remains heavily concentrated in the region despite decentralization efforts, and commerce, corporate headquarters and administration give Paris a leading role. The atlas also examines travel, supply flows and connections with the rest of France and the world, including faster domestic transport. Rebeyrôl regards the work as a rich source of useful information about Paris and its region.