The Purpose and Use of National and Regional Atlases

Summary

This paper, based on the proceedings of an international seminar sponsored by the Pan-American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) and held in Ottawa in March 1979, systematically explores the purpose, value, uses, and future directions of national and regional atlases. The article begins by noting that despite criticism of national atlases, the production and popularity of world and regional atlases have grown significantly, making this seminar timely. The seminar focused on the utility of national atlases in the electronic age, the application of computer technology, and ways to better serve the user community. Canada was an ideal host due to recent major evaluations and changes in its National Atlas program, as well as new projects such as the Historical Atlas of Canada proposed by the University of Toronto and the Atlas of the North proposed by the Royal Society of Canada. The paper emphasizes that atlases are vital for planners, administrators, researchers, and educators, and reviews Canadian cartographic history, from Juan de la Cosa's 1500 map—the first to depict Canada—to Alexander von Humboldt's rediscovery, highlighting the interdisciplinary and transnational nature of national cartographic studies. The concluding section deeply analyzes the multiple functions of national atlases: supporting natural resource renewal, national wealth utilization, economic planning, and cultural environment planning; while also serving as educational tools and cultural ambassadors, fostering patriotism and international understanding. Drawing on experiences from the Soviet Union, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and Hungary, the article notes applications in higher education, commercial publishing, media, political decision-making, market surveys, national prestige display, and information dissemination. However, planners typically require a broader range of map products, and national atlases often lack prognostic maps. The paper discusses the importance of users' map-reading skills (termed 'cartogracy' or 'graphicacy') and suggests enhancing training through education systems, while also bringing atlases closer to the public via exhibitions and user guides. Finally, it raises eight critical questions for future national atlases, including the need for new editions, subject selection, presentation methods, technical specifications, and user targeting, along with cost considerations, emphasizing the challenge of balancing quality, utility, and economy in the digital age.