Cartographical Survey: Atlas of Tanzania

Summary

This review evaluates the 1967 Atlas of Tanzania. Despite the foreword's claim that it was designed to support development planning, the atlas largely replicates its 1957 predecessor in style and substance, with only modest innovations such as maps of potential land use and fisheries, yet omits a communications map and population overlay. The author argues that it shows little hard thinking about planners' information needs or a format appropriate for a poor country, and fails to provide key data on regional disparities, temporal changes, and interregional flows. Lack of data is only a partial excuse, as much existing information remains unused. The review concludes that this traditional, lavish atlas may well be the last of its kind.