Book Reviews: The National Economic Atlas of China

Summary

This review evaluates The National Economic Atlas of China. Originating from the national atlas project initiated in 1958, the atlas was compiled through the collaboration of over twenty ministries and research institutions. It comprises 265 full-color maps systematically covering resources, population, agriculture, industry, transportation, commerce, science, education, and other economic-geographic topics, presenting more than 500 variables at the county level for the first time. The review praises its integrated data and creative cartographic designs, while noting the absence of per capita income and poverty-related maps, as well as occasional lack of data sources and variable definitions. Overall, the atlas is a comprehensive, beautifully produced reference that significantly advances the study of China's economic geography and raises many questions for future research.