The national atlas: its problem solving utility

Summary

National atlases are distinctive reference works that depict the broad significant features of a country and serve as research tools for government agencies, commercial firms, research libraries, and planning organizations. This article outlines the design, production, and problem-solving utility of The National Atlas of the United States of America, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey following a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences. The atlas consists of about 500 pages: general reference maps at 1:2,000,000, urban-area maps, thematic maps covering physical, historical, economic, and socio-cultural subjects, administrative-division maps, coverage indexes of map/chart/air-photo series, and a detailed index of more than 40,000 named places with geographic coordinates. To ensure practical relevance, the Survey reviewed existing national atlases, consulted cartographers, and circulated a questionnaire to some 8,000 potential users; the overwhelmingly positive responses confirmed demand for all eight major sections and a preference for solid binding. The article then illustrates concrete uses: locational and thematic support for housing and insurance decisions, regional planning, fuel marketing, education, public-land law review, “new city” planning, advertising and market analysis, retirement choices, and recreation. It also addresses production problems—data reliability, cartographic generalization, paper quality, durable yet flexible bindings, and index design. The atlas will be reproduced and sold by the U.S. Geological Survey, revised every ten years in coordination with the census, with individual sheets updated as new data appear. It marks another milestone in national and regional atlas coverage, while future remote sensing and computer-based data storage may transform such cartographic reference works.