Geographical Atlas of Colombia

Summary

Since the mid-1960s, several Latin American countries have published comprehensive national geographical atlases in response to the need for rational use of natural and human resources. This paper reviews the second edition of the Atlas of Colombia, published in 1969 by the Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute and other institutions. It examines the structure, thematic coverage, and cartographic methods of the atlas. The atlas contains 169 maps and 23 city plans, covering physical geography, population, economy, and transport. Climate, soils, ecology, and economic topics are comparatively well represented, while geomorphology, hydrology, land use, and several other important themes are missing or insufficiently developed. Some inconsistencies and cartographic defects are also noted. Overall, the atlas presents Colombia’s history, nature, population, economy, and culture in an expressive and accessible form, possessing considerable scientific, educational, and cultural value, though its thematic completeness and cartographic precision could be improved.