Book reviews: National Atlas of Afghanistan

Summary

This review evaluates the National Atlas of Afghanistan 2014, produced collaboratively by the University of Giessen, Kabul University, and the Afghan Geodesy and Cartography Office. Combining thematic maps with explanatory texts, the atlas covers physical geography, socio-economic conditions, and urban areas. Despite limitations such as incomplete socio-economic data, its innovative cartography effectively portrays Afghanistan's spatial structures. The reviewer argues that the atlas serves not only as a scientific achievement but also as a vital instrument for nation-building, fostering national identity, supporting regional planning, and facilitating international cooperation, with profound academic and political implications.