Un projet d'atlas national abrégé

Summary

In countries where the cartographic base is imprecise and geographical and statistical studies are limited, the task of producing a national atlas comparable to those of other nations faces great difficulties. However, there is always a need for a minimum of geographical data for all countries. This paper therefore proposes a relatively feasible abbreviated atlas, comprising fourteen plates, which are examined in detail. Except for climatology and agricultural production plates, which would include several maps, the whole country would be represented on a single map at the largest possible scale, grouping data with different colors. For instance, a hydrography map would integrate the river network, basins, reservoirs, irrigation zones, and flood-prone areas; an energy map would concentrate hydroelectric and thermal plants, coal mines, oil fields, power lines, and petroleum pipelines, with the most appropriate hierarchy. All plates are designed to include only data that governments or geographical centers can easily obtain.