Cuba

Howard A. Meyerhoff; Gerado Canet

This is a book review of "Atlas de Cuba," a bilingual atlas co-authored by Gerado Canet and Erwin Raisz, published by Harvard University Press in 1949. The review notes that the atlas vividly presents Cuba's geographic, social, and economic backgrounds through maps, diagrams, and pictographs, making it valuable for tourists, businessmen, and students seeking to understand Cuba. The author highly praises Raisz's cartographic skill and creativity, while also pointing out shortcomings such as the lack of basic geographic information on area, elevation, and hydrography. Overall, the review concludes that the atlas successfully achieves its goal of familiarizing readers with Cuba, its people, and its economy.

Henry Sterling

This is a review of the book "Atlas de Cuba" by Gerardo Canet, with the collaboration of Erwin Raisz, published by Harvard University Press in 1949. The review notes that the atlas, through varied use of colored maps, cartograms, graphs, and pictorial symbols, vividly portrays and evaluates the principal elements, patterns, and trends in Cuba's history, physical geography, production, demographic and social conditions, communications, and trade, making it a valuable aid for teaching and understanding Cuba's cultural geography. The atlas includes running Spanish textual comments accompanied by condensed English translations; however, without a reading knowledge of Spanish, users may find it laborious to translate descriptive captions, legends, and unfamiliar units of measurement. The review also points out minor drawbacks, such as occasional mismatches between legend colors and map colors, and incomplete legends. Overall, the atlas is deemed a reliable and competent work, carefully documented and based on the latest available statistics, and a welcome addition to the limited array of graphic aids for making Latin-American cultural and economic patterns more understandable to the layman.

N.P.

This review evaluates *Atlas de Cuba*, compiled by Gerardo Canet with Erwin Raisz and published by Harvard University Press in 1949. The volume is less a conventional atlas than an illustrated outline of Cuban history, climate, physical geography, biology, demography, and economy, presented through maps, cartograms, and diagrams. While visual representations of statistics can enhance public comprehension of facts and issues, the method is overused here, resulting in cluttered pages filled with sketches lacking in design and purpose. The technical quality of color printing falls below expectations, and poor registration in diagrams and scenic illustrations produces an unattractive, unfocused effect. The only genuinely valuable component of this highly priced atlas is the large folding map of Cuba at the end, which notably attempts to depict landscapes using techniques and colors that convey the region's overall character while avoiding the well-known deficiencies of conventional small-scale relief representation.

H.N.L.

This review assesses the Atlas de Cuba, compiled by Gerardo Canet with Erwin Raisz, produced at Harvard University's Institute of Geographical Exploration in collaboration with Cuba's Department of Agriculture. The atlas covers diverse topics, from geological development to detailed statistical maps of population, housing, and production. Despite its creative effort and research depth, the atlas suffers from poor reproduction quality due to cheap paper and fuzzy printing, which undermines its cartographic skill. Nevertheless, the authors largely succeed in delivering a vivid picture of Cuban geography, and the included wall map alone justifies the atlas's modest price.

This article reviews six professional books, covering the Atlas of Cuba, highway design and construction, public speaking techniques, ultra high frequency engineering, winding alternating current machines, and standards on mineral aggregates and concrete. Each book is summarized with its key content, target audience, and price, serving as a reference guide for professionals and students in related fields. The books span multiple disciplines including geography, engineering, communication, and materials science, reflecting the latest advancements and practical methods in their respective areas.

The *Atlas de Cuba*, authored by Gerardo Canet with Erwin Raisz and published by Harvard University Press in 1949, is an analytical cartographic work. Using block diagrams, distribution maps, and pictographs, it systematically describes Cuba's physical environment (e.g., climate, geology, soils, vegetation) and socioeconomic aspects (e.g., population, agriculture, industry, trade). Each topic is briefly explained in Spanish with condensed English translations, supplemented by a selected bibliography and index. The author emphasizes Cuba's dependence on location, climate, and soil, highlighting its adjustment challenges as an economic handmaiden to the United States and advocating for economic diversification. The atlas includes an innovative folded map based on aerial photography and symbols, offering a realistic landscape view, making it a valuable reference for geography and commerce studies.

Atlas De Cuba, authored by Gerardo Canet with the collaboration of Erwin Raisz, was published by Harvard University Press in 1949, comprising 64 pages at a price of $3.50. The atlas aims to present a vivid picture of Cuba, and it appears to achieve this goal within its 64 13×10-inch pages and an inserted 2×5-foot colored map of the island. The text is bilingual in Spanish and English, and its format is as attractive as the new-style annual reports of major American corporations. If the price could be reduced, similar atlases would be welcomed for various states in the United States.

Andrzej Bonasewicz

This article reviews two Latin American atlases and a bibliography of physical limnology. The Atlas of Cuba (1949), produced by Cuban geographer G. Canet with American cartographer E. Raisz, contains thematic maps on physical geography, population, and economy, employing diverse cartographic methods with bilingual Spanish-English explanations, serving educational and touristic purposes. The Census Atlas of El Salvador (1955), published by the Ministry of Economy, comprises three parts covering Central America, the country's physical and human geography, and departmental monographs, with data largely from the 1950 census, standing as a landmark in Salvadoran cartographic publishing. Additionally, the Bibliography of Physical Limnology 1781–1954 (Ohio, 1955) lists about 1,600 entries alphabetically by author with subject and lake indexes, featuring strong coverage of North American Great Lakes and governmental research, offering notable utility for European scholars.

Н. Ф. Леонтьев; Я. Г. Машбиц

The article by N. F. Leontiev and Ya. G. Mashbits discusses the National Atlas of Cuba, a comprehensive cartographic work produced jointly by the Institutes of Geography of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the USSR Academy of Sciences in the framework of scientific cooperation. Published in 1970, the atlas is the first work of its kind in Latin America and the first national atlas prepared with extensive Soviet participation. The authors describe the structure and content of the atlas, which contains about 170 maps grouped into eight series: introductory, natural conditions and resources, agriculture, industry, transport and external economic relations, population, health, education and culture, and history. They emphasize the scientific and practical significance of the atlas for planning socio-economic development, studying natural resources, and developing tropical geography. The article also analyzes the experience gained during the five-year preparation, highlighting general principles for creating national atlases. In particular, the authors propose a definition of a national atlas based primarily on its purpose: to serve state institutions and planning agencies in national development. They argue that a national atlas should reflect the current state of knowledge of a country's territory, the level of socio-economic development, and be oriented to solving national problems of rational use of natural potential and development of productive forces. They also discuss the issue of comparability of indicators on maps, noting that due to uneven study of territory, some incomparability is acceptable. The experience of the Cuban atlas shows that the preparation of national atlases requires flexibility, consideration of country-specific features, and should not follow rigid templates. The authors conclude that the Cuban National Atlas is a significant contribution to national mapping and a model for other developing countries.

Colin G. Clarke

This article reviews the National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970 as a joint effort by the Cuban and Soviet Academies of Sciences to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The atlas's first half systematically documents Cuba's physical geography, while the second half focuses on post-revolutionary economic, demographic, educational, and healthcare transformations. The author commends the atlas for its valuable insights into land reform, educational expansion, and medical improvements, yet notes that Cuba's economy remains heavily reliant on sugar production, with its former dependence on the U.S. replaced by close ties to the Soviet Union. The atlas inadequately addresses industrialization setbacks, trade specifics, and social inequalities, favoring achievements over failures. Overall, it serves as a crucial resource for understanding Cuba's post-revolutionary geography and society, though supplementary sources are needed for a more balanced perspective.

Richard W. Stephenson

This article reviews significant atlases published in the Western Hemisphere (including North America, South America, and Central America and the Caribbean) since Ena L. Yonge's summary survey in 1962. The survey is divided into two parts, with this part focusing on the Western Hemisphere, covering 147 volumes of general and thematic atlases of the entire hemisphere, continents, major regions, and individual countries, as well as atlases of individual states and provinces of the United States and Canada. Notable atlases mentioned include the 'Alpha Map Transparencies' series for teaching regional geography, Theodore R. Miller's 'Graphic History of the Americas,' David K. Adams and H. B. Rodgers' 'An Atlas of North American Affairs,' and the 'Oxford Regional Economic Atlas: United States & Canada.' The Canadian section details the fourth edition of 'The National Atlas of Canada,' the 'Atlas and Gazetteer of Canada,' historical atlases, and the 'Atlas of Alberta.' The South American section covers atlases from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Surinam, and Venezuela, such as the 'Atlas nacional do Brasil,' 'Atlas histórico geográfico y de paisajes peruanos,' and 'Atlas de Venezuela.' The article aims to describe the contents and features of these atlases rather than provide critical evaluations, and concludes by suggesting that the next decade may see an increase in the production of high-quality atlases by Western Hemisphere nations.

Donald R. Dyer

This review examines the first national atlas of Cuba, published in 1970 in both Spanish and Russian editions, as a collaborative effort between the Cuban and Soviet Academies of Sciences commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Revolution. The atlas comprises 102 pages of maps and 29 pages of text, covering physical geography, economy, population, culture, and history, with data primarily from 1965 to 1969. The review notes the atlas's excellent cartographic quality and printing, yet observes that socialist achievements are not directly evident from the maps themselves, but rather through insets and graphs depicting new industrial installations and social indicators. It also highlights administrative reorganization, including provincial boundary changes and an increase in municipios. Overall, the atlas is deemed a valuable contribution to fundamental knowledge of Cuba.

The National Atlas of Cuba, a collaborative publication by the Cuban and Soviet Institutes of Geography, was initiated in April 1965 under the supervision of Antonio Núñez Jiménez, president of the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Forty institutions contributed to its research, with Soviet cartographers providing editorial and compilation consultation. The 144-page volume features 105 color maps, 23 pages of explanatory text, and a seven-page index of geographical names, organized into categories including general, physical, agricultural, industrial, cultural, historical, and population maps. Approximately half of the maps depict natural features of the Cuban archipelago, with emphasis on comparing pre- and post-revolutionary statistical data. Priced at about $15, a complete English translation is available through the U.S. Joint Publications Research Service.

Jean Dresch

This review examines the Atlas Nacional de Cuba (1970), a collaborative publication by the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the USSR Academy of Sciences, issued for the tenth anniversary of the Revolution. As Cuba's first scientific atlas, it integrates data from forty institutions, offering a comprehensive overview of the island's natural conditions, resources, and socio-economic transformations during the mid-to-late 1960s. The atlas emphasizes physical geography—including geology, geomorphology, climate, soils, vegetation, and marine environments—while also featuring socio-economic maps on population, land use, industry, trade, education, and public health, highlighting notable post-revolutionary progress. Despite gaps in regional planning, urbanization, and migration, the atlas serves as a vital knowledge base for national development and future research.

Г. А. Правоторова

This paper explores the use of comprehensive national atlases as a basis for subsequent thematic mapping, using the province of Matanzas, Cuba, as a case study. A systematic methodology is proposed, involving the selection of an appropriate base map and scale, the analysis of natural (geomorphological, hydrogeological, soil) and socio-economic (agriculture, sugar industry, transport) maps from the atlas, the creation of working overlays, and their synthesis to produce a final map of agricultural production types of land. The results demonstrate that this approach effectively integrates multi-source, multi-scale information to generate a comprehensive map with a detailed legend. This map not only reveals the spatial differentiation of agricultural production but also provides a scientific basis for rational land use and agricultural development planning. The study highlights the significant value of atlases as platforms for geographic information synthesis and further development.

Р. И. Злотин; С. В. Зонн; Д. А. Лилиенберг; Я. Г. Машбиц; А. И. Фадеев; В. П. Чичагов

The article summarizes the experience of cooperation between the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences and geographers and cartographers of Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam in creating national atlases of these countries. The scientific concept of the atlases, the integrity and coverage of their themes, the combination of fundamental character and practical orientation, structural features, and integration potential are analyzed. The authors propose a working definition of a national atlas as a fundamental comprehensive cartographic work reflecting a special object of mapping—the nation-state as an integral entity in all its systemic complexity and the interaction of internal and external factors and historical prerequisites of its existence and development. The thematic structure of national atlases is examined in detail, noting that they should include main sections such as introductory, general geographical, historical-revolutionary, nature and natural resources, population, settlement, economy, socio-economic development, and social infrastructure. Based on the experience of creating four national atlases (totaling over 1,400 thematic maps), the authors formulate a series of principles for developing such atlases for countries with insufficient geographical and cartographic study, including: breadth of thematic coverage, reflection of the country's resource-ecological, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural specifics, provision of a realistic picture of the degree of comprehensive study, development of a flexible structure, and implementation as a special targeted program. The scale series of the atlases are analyzed. The systemic nature and integration potential of national atlases are emphasized, as they embody the most important features of comprehensive mapping, elevating it to the level of systemic cartography. In conclusion, the authors stress that national atlases can serve as an effective tool for sectoral and regional planning, as a summary of materials on the study of a country's territory, and can accelerate research when the territory is insufficiently studied, promoting the development of national scientific schools and the consolidation of research teams.

Gladstone Oliva; Elia A. Sánchez; Luis R. Díaz; Enrique Propín; Jorge L. Díaz; José R. Hernández

The new National Atlas of Cuba represents a major advancement in the geography and cartography of Cuba. The country's own socio-economic development rendered the first National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1970, obsolete. Consequently, in 1983, the process of producing a new edition began. With the work and participation of nearly 150 institutions and 1,500 specialists, and under the direction of the Institute of Geography of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, the new edition was published in January 1989. The atlas comprises 210 map and text sheets divided into 18 thematic sections. The atlas format measures 59 × 52 cm and presents the entire country at cartographic scales ranging from 1:1,000,000 to 1:4,000,000. The fruits of the atlas are already evident not only in its practical utility, but also in the Geographic Information System (SIG-Cuba) and in other new works arising from this experience.

В. В. Барыкина; В. В. Бердников; Л. В. Логинова; А. А. Лютый; Р. С. Царских; Е. А. Финько

The article reviews the New National Atlas of Cuba, published in 1989, and presents it as a major achievement of Cuban geography and cartography marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Prepared under the leadership of the Institute of Geography of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, the atlas drew on the participation of more than one hundred Cuban institutions and specialists from the Soviet Union, the German Democratic Republic, and Mexico. It also built upon the experience of Cuba’s first national atlas, issued in 1970, and upon the professional training of Cuban researchers abroad. Comprising twenty-four thematic sections, 627 maps, 665 diagrams, profiles, and other graphics, sixty-one color photographs, and extensive reference texts, the volume functions as a comprehensive geographical encyclopedia of the country. It systematically documents Cuba’s natural environment, resources, population, settlement, economy, society, culture, history, and revolutionary development. The review highlights the atlas’s treatment of geophysics, tectonics, seismicity, geology, landforms, climate, water resources, surrounding seas, land use, urban systems, industrial organization, trade, and internal and interregional economic relations. Many maps combine scientific synthesis with practical applications, including hazard assessment, agricultural evaluation, resource management, infrastructure planning, and long-term socioeconomic policy. Particularly innovative is the environmental section, which classifies geosystems at several taxonomic levels, distinguishes anthropogenic, agricultural, forest, and relatively natural landscapes, and maps pollution sources, vulnerable environmental components, ecological stability, self-restoration capacity, and conservation measures. Its maps of protected areas and natural and cultural monuments further connect environmental management with heritage preservation. The final section, devoted to history and revolution, uses maps, diagrams, illustrations, and documentary chronologies to reconstruct Indigenous settlement and migration, colonization, slavery and piracy, struggles for independence, the revolutionary movement, nationalization, agrarian reform, literacy campaigns, political organization, resistance to foreign aggression, and Cuba’s international relations. According to the author, the atlas demonstrates both the maturity of Cuban geographical science and the rapid development of its observational networks, statistical resources, technical infrastructure, and professional personnel. Methodologically, it advances typological and synthetic mapping, matrix legends, multiscale representation, and nationally distinctive visual design. The atlas can therefore serve as an analytical and reference foundation for scientific research, regional economics, national planning, education, and the preparation of smaller-scale maps and atlases. Beyond these technical functions, it acts as a cultural ambassador that communicates Cuba’s achievements and identity abroad, supports international cooperation, and strengthens the country’s standing. The article concludes that the work ranks among the exemplary national atlases of its era and constitutes a significant contribution to world culture.

R. I. Zlotin; S. V. Zonn; D. A. Liliyenberg; Ya. G. Mashbits; A. I. Fadeyev; V. P. Chichagov

This article summarizes the experience gained from collaboration between the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences and geographers and cartographers of Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam in the creation of national atlases for these countries. The scientific concepts embodied in the atlases are analyzed, as well as the interrelationships and scope of topics, the combination of scientific and practical directions, and characteristics of their organization. Translated from: Izvestlya Akademli Nauk SSSR, serlya geograficheskaya, 1988, No. 3, pp. 31-38 by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005. At the current stage of world development and intensification of the global problems of mankind, the role of the system of geographical sciences increases in their recognition and solution. The study of natural resources, population, the economy, settlement, and social and ethnocultural factors requires improvement in traditional geographic and cartographic methods of research and geographic information and the development of new ones. Among the latter, the importance of complex mapping is increasing. Indeed, thematic maps and atlases represent an effective tool in the accumulation, analysis, and multipurpose use of diverse information of different scales. They are necessary in the organization and performance of complex regional research, sectoral and territorial planning, and the management of socioeconomic development. National atlases occupy a special place among complex cartographic works. They comprise an important class of basic scientific works devoted to the systematic characterization of a state (country) and of interaction of internal and external factors of its development. At the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences, the development of national atlases in conjunction with scientists of the socialist countries has a nearly fortyyear history. In 1965-1970, the first National Atlas of Cuba was prepared by Soviet and Cuban scientists, and received the critical acclaim of the international scientific community (more than 50 reviews) and in 1973 was awarded the State Prize of the USSR. In 1976, jointly with Mongolian scientists and scientists of the Institute of Geography of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, the scientific concept and schedule of work were determined for The National Atlas of Mongolia, which will appear in print in 1989. In the late 1980s a new National Atlas of Cuba and National Atlas of Vietnam will be published. Scientists of the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences are also participating in their creation. Analysis of experience accumulated during creation of the four national atlases, including international collaboration in the design, compilation, and scientific editing of these works is of undoubted scientific and practical interest.

Etienne Dalmasso

In 1989, the Institute of Geography and the Cuban Institute of Geodesy and Cartography of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba published a new edition of the National Atlas, nearly two decades after the first edition of 1970. This monumental work, directed by Gladstone Oliva Gutiérrez with the assistance of dozens of authors and scientific advisors, comprises over 200 large-format pages (54×64 cm) featuring 627 maps of Cuba, the Caribbean, and the world at various scales, supplemented by 61 color photographs and more than 700 diagrams, profiles, and graphs. Organized into 24 thematic sections, the atlas covers both natural conditions (geophysics, geology, relief, karst, climate, water resources, seas, soils, flora and fauna, landscapes) and human and economic aspects (population, natural resources, socio-cultural facilities, agriculture, sugar economy, industry, transport, economic regionalization, and environmental issues), concluding with a section on "History and Revolution" that maps key moments in Cuban history and its international engagement. Compared to the first edition, this atlas demonstrates considerable progress in cartographic technique and content depth, making it an essential reference for anyone seeking to understand Cuba's geography or conduct research on the country.

Robert B. Kent

This article reviews and evaluates six recently published national atlases from Latin America, including the Atlas de Colombia (4th edition), Atlas Nacional de México (3 volumes), Nuevo Atlas Nacional de Cuba, Atlas de Perú, Atlas Nacional de la República de Panamá, and Atlas de Bolivia. The article first defines the criteria for a 'national atlas': it must be produced under the auspices or with the approval of the national government, aim to provide broad thematic coverage of the nation, and be produced to high intellectual and cartographic standards for scholarly research. It then provides detailed assessments of each atlas, covering physical specifications, organizational structure, thematic content, cartographic quality, and strengths and weaknesses. The Atlas Nacional de México is particularly praised for its monumental scale, rich thematic coverage, and fine cartography, though it is noted for overly complex symbols and lack of an index. The Nuevo Atlas Nacional de Cuba is recognized as a continuation of Cuba's strong cartographic tradition, demonstrating extensive collaboration and high production quality. Other atlases show varying strengths in thematic breadth and presentation but commonly suffer from vague citations, lack of general bibliographies, or missing indexes. The article concludes that while the quality of these atlases ranges from outstanding to barely acceptable, all serve as valuable reference sources for Latin American studies, with environmental, cultural, and historical content retaining long-term utility, and recommends their acquisition by university libraries with relevant programs.

José Jesús Reyes Nunez

In 1949 was published the first National Atlas of Cuba (“Atlas de Cuba”) in the Institute of Geographical Exploration at Harvard University. This atlas was edited by a Cuban geographer and cartographer, Gerardo Canet, counting with the valuable collaboration of Erwin Raisz, a Hungarianborn cartographer graduated at the Royal Polytechnicum of Budapest. Using Canet’s words in the Introduction the atlas is “a living picture of Cuban Geography as far as possible in 64 pages”. A total of 34 themes were represented by maps and graphics, presenting the history of the country, its’ physical geographical characteristics, the more important parameters to describe the society (standard of living, health, social composition, government, etc) and the national economy. A very special characteristic of this national atlas is the rich combination of maps with pictures, charts and text. Leafing through its pages we can see that the authors not only wanted to create an atlas for scientists and specialists in the different topics represented on the maps: their intention was to make all this information available and easily understandable for the public in general. The atlas can be considered the early multimedia result of joining two peculiar cartographic styles: the delicacy of the drawing ability of Erwin Raisz and Canet’s interest to represent the broader spectrum of data using all the graphic tools at their disposal to make the atlas more interesting and attractive. This little masterpiece constitutes an intentionally ignored gem of the Cuban cartography of mid-twentieth century.

José Jesús Reyes Nuñez

The “Atlas de Cuba” was published in 1949 by the Institute of Geographical Exploration at Harvard University. This atlas is result of collaboration between Erwin Raisz, the American cartographer born in Hungary and a Cuban geographer and cartographer, Gerardo Canet. Using Canet’s words in the Introduction, the atlas is “a living picture of Cuban Geography as far as possible in 64 pages”. A total of 34 themes were represented by maps and graphics, presenting the history of the country, its physical geographical characteristics, the major parameters to describe the society (standard of living, health, social composition, government, etc.) and the national economy. The atlas is the rich combination of maps with pictures, charts and text. The authors not only wanted to create an atlas for scientists and specialists with the different topics represented in the maps: their intention was to make all this information available and easily understandable for the public in general. The atlas joined two peculiar cartographic styles: the delicacy of the drawing ability of Erwin Raisz and Canet’s interest to represent the broader spectrum of data collected by him, using all the graphic tools at their disposal to make the atlas more attractive. This little masterpiece of the mid-twentieth century constitutes a gem intentionally ignored by the current Cuban cartography.

Orfilio Peláez

The National Atlas: LX Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution is Cuba's first atlas created exclusively by Cuban specialists in a digital multimedia format. Developed over five years with over 300 experts from 65 institutions, it systematically reflects profound changes in Cuba's economic, social, and natural spheres since the previous atlas in 1989. Structured into six sections—General and Reference Maps, Economy, Nature, Society, Strategic Themes, and History—it notably includes, for the first time, maps on the distribution and characterization of Cuban rock art. Innovations include advanced GIS and GPS technologies, with comprehensive coverage of protected areas, climate change, hazard/vulnerability/risk studies, biodiversity, watershed management, and demographic dynamics. Conceived as a 'living atlas' for continuous updates, it will feature mobile and online applications, with potential future print editions for schools and libraries, marking a milestone in Cuban cartographic publishing.

José Miguel Marrero Basulto; Jorge A. Luis Machín; Orlando Novúa Alvarez; Silvio V. Rodríguez Hernández; Saylí Tur Pérez

This article presents the background, development process, technical approach, and final outcomes of the National Atlas of Cuba "LX Anniversary". Led by the Institute of Tropical Geography and in collaboration with several institutions, this multi-year project represents Cuba's first national geographic cartographic work entirely produced by national institutions and experts, presented in a digital multimedia format. The article begins by reviewing the history of Cuban national atlas production, analyzing the characteristics and contributions of three previous editions from 1970, 1979, and 1989, and noting that the new atlas builds upon this legacy while innovating for contemporary needs. Conceived as a "living atlas", its core principle is to enable rapid, systematic, and economical content updates. The atlas is structured into six thematic sections covering nature, population, economy, strategic issues, and history, drawing on results from various national and international research projects. The article details the six technical stages, from data collection and map design to multimedia production and the final development of a web geoportal and mobile application (APK). The Version 1.0 multimedia, released in 2019, contained 230 maps, while the subsequent Version 1.1 added more maps, photos, and interactive features. The team is currently finalizing the online service platform and mobile app to ensure broad access. The article concludes that this atlas not only reflects Cuba's current scientific knowledge and geographic reality, serving as a vital tool for territorial planning, environmental management, and education, but its digital format and "living atlas" philosophy mark a new era in Cuban atlas production, laying the groundwork for future updates and enhanced inter-institutional collaboration.

José Manuel Mateo Rodriguez; Maira Celeiro Chaple; Pedro Acevedo Rodríguez; Dayniel Hernández Mestre; Alejandro Veranes Miranda

This paper aims to present the fundamental ideas that underpinned the elaboration of the three maps comprising the 'Landscapes' section of the National Atlas of Cuba LX Anniversary, published in 2019. The landscape theme is part of the 'Nature Characterization' section, presenting the following maps of Cuba: anthropo-natural landscape, cultural landscape, and geographic regionalization, all at a scale of 1:1,000,000. The authors intend to highlight not only the characteristics of natural, economic, social, and cultural components but also their systemic interrelationship, manifested in spatial patterns with traits of individuality and singularity. The paper adopts Carl Sauer's 1925 concept of the natural/cultural landscape binomial, viewing landscape as a system of concepts—the form adopted by geographic facts on the Earth's surface, arising from the sensitive relationship and sensory perception of the territory. Based on detailed description and mapping of the regional and micro-regional structure of Cuban landscapes, along with bibliographic analysis, the article proposes a theoretical-methodological framework for landscape mapping. Cuba is presented as a true observatory for analyzing and reflecting on how to orient the use of its spaces from a regional vision, bearing marks of nature and traces of various historical periods. The maps ultimately offer three fundamental perspectives: the holistic vision, establishing the spatial matrix of nature from totality, understanding the synthetic and dialectical combination of natural components in interrelation with human actions (productive and affective-symbolic); the concrete empirical vision, based on the identification, classification, characterization, and cartography of specific spatial units determined in field conditions; and the scalar vision, systematizing results according to spatial organization responding to different levels (global, regional, local), expressed in the hierarchy of selected taxonomic units. Future work should expand detailed-scale mapping and classification nationwide and develop research on the structure, functioning, dynamics, and development of natural complexes to scientifically regulate resource exploitation and transformation of Cuban nature.