Book Review: National Atlas of India

Summary

This book review evaluates the Preliminary Hindi Edition of the National Atlas of India, edited by S. P. Chatterjee. It places the atlas in the tradition of national atlases and summarizes its scope: 21 maps at 1:5,000,000, 16 at 1:10,000,000, plus insets and special maps covering physical, economic, and cultural resources. The reviewers commend the clear treatment of relief, drainage, rainfall, forests, land use, crops, power, industries, transport, and social data, but note technical weaknesses such as color combinations and dot maps. They also outline the future plan for 500 maps. Overall, the atlas is a major achievement for India's resource planning.