The Atlas of Canada Project

Summary

This article reviews the background, organization, and production process of the Atlas of Canada, published by the Federal Government in December 1958. The project traces its origins to the first atlas in 1905, with subsequent revisions, and was formally initiated in 1948 under the coordination of the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys. An interdepartmental advisory committee and various sub-committees were established to ensure broad coverage. The atlas employs the Lambert Conformal Conic projection with four base scales, facilitating coherent mapping. Its plates are sequenced to illustrate Canada's historical exploration, physical geography, human resources, economic activities, institutional distribution, and political evolution. The article also outlines land resource classifications, including agricultural, forested, and other lands, citing 1956 census data to highlight the vast and largely underutilized nature of Canada's land area.