Finland芬兰

William Rosier

This article offers a detailed review of the Atlas of Finland, published by the Geographical Society of Finland. Originating from the 1899 Berlin Geographical Congress and earlier London exhibition, the atlas was compiled by leading Finnish scholars with government support. It comprises thirty-three plates, including large-scale maps at 1:2,000,000 and 1:2,500,000, and numerous small maps and diagrams. Employing the latest cartographic and statistical methods, it covers physical geography, geology, meteorology, vegetation, population, economy, prehistory, and early maps. An accompanying volume provides detailed scientific commentary in Finnish, Swedish, and French. The reviewer praises the work as a true monument to Finnish science and civilization, and voices sympathy for Finland's struggle to preserve its identity against Russian imperial pressure.

Edg Mercinier

This review discusses the Atlas of Finland, a comprehensive geographical publication produced by the Geographical Society of Finland. Built on the 1899 edition, it expands to 55 maps and extensive text covering physical geography, population, and civilization. The author praises chapters on the Finnish lake plateau, marshes, forests, and Diet elections, noting the detailed demographic, disease, and industrial statistics. A minor criticism is raised: the data lack international comparison. Overall, the atlas is regarded as an exemplary reference work, well received by the Library of the Geographical Society of Geneva. The review underscores the importance of geographical self-knowledge for national progress.

J. Poirot

This article reviews the second edition of the Atlas of Finland, published by the Geographical Society of Finland, with particular attention to its section on human geography. It examines the population distribution and evolution of Finland from a historical perspective: the territory was already inhabited during the Neolithic Littorina period, and subsequent Germanic migrations during the Iron Age and the arrival of Finnish tribes shaped a population dominated by Finnish- and Swedish-speaking groups. By 1908, of Finland's approximately three million inhabitants, 86.7 percent spoke Finnish and 12.9 percent Swedish. The article identifies three major phases of colonization: initial settlement along the southern and southwestern coasts; agricultural expansion into interior wilderness regions during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries through methods such as slash-and-burn cultivation; and, after 1860, accelerating urbanization driven by industrialization. In agriculture, the article highlights extreme land inequality—the state owning 39 percent of the territory—and a transformation from primitive burn-beating to modern farming. Because of frequent frosts and the harsh climate, rye gave way to oats, while livestock raising and dairy production flourished, making butter a major export commodity. In industry, Finland suffers from scarce mineral resources but possesses abundant forests and water power, favoring timber and paper industries. The article further analyzes Finland's trade patterns: exports consist mainly of timber and butter, with Helsinki as the principal port; transportation relies on the natural advantage of numerous lakes and rivers, supplemented by the Saima Canal and railways, with an extensive lighthouse and pilotage system along the treacherous coastline. The author praises the Atlas for its rich content—covering population, agriculture, industry, trade, communications, health, history, archaeology, and education—and commends the Finnish people for creating a flourishing civilization under challenging natural conditions through tenacity and a favorable social and political regime.

J. Poirot

This article reviews the second edition of the *Atlas of Finland*, published in 1910 by the Geographical Society of Finland. This edition appeared eleven years after the first edition (1899) and was collectively edited by the Geographical Society, comprising one atlas volume and two text volumes, totaling approximately 1,500 pages. The author, J. Poirot, notes that the new edition shows marked progress over the initial one: the number of maps has increased substantially, the textual content has expanded to three times its original length, and new sections on oceanography and agricultural statistics have been added, while existing chapters such as population statistics have been enlarged and deepened. Despite the work's overall coherence, the author contends that this excellent series of monographs does not constitute a comprehensive geography of Finland; for a truly integrated geographical synthesis, further effort remains necessary. The main body of the article focuses on summarizing findings in physical geography. From the contour maps, Finland, apart from northern Lapland, appears as a vast plain gently sloping toward the sea, yet the actual terrain is marked by frequent undulations, with hills, lakes, and sinuous lake shores forming a typical landscape, while the southwestern archipelago presents a different aspect. Geologically, Finland consists almost entirely of Precambrian ancient rock formations, deeply influenced by Quaternary glaciation. The flow and erosion of the Fennoscandian ice sheet deepened depressions formed during the Tertiary period, explaining the morphology of lake basins. The latter part of the article discusses biogeography. Vegetation progresses from south to north through the oak zone, the boreal coniferous forest zone (spruce, pine), the birch zone, and the alpine and tundra belts of Lapland. Forests cover 91% of the land area, with the main tree species being Scots pine, Norway spruce, and birch.

Gustave Regelsperger

The Atlas of Finland, published in 1911 by the Geographical Society of Finland, is a comprehensive geographical work covering both physical and human geography. The physical section details topography, hydrography, geology, climate, and biota, emphasizing the lake network and glacial history. The human section, based on extensive statistical data, analyzes population, ethnicity, economy, transportation, and urban development. With its rigorous scholarship and innovative approach, the atlas serves as a model for national geographical studies.

A. Zierhoffer

This review examines the third edition of the Atlas of Finland, published by the Geographical Society of Finland between 1925 and 1928. This edition, the first after Finnish independence, was entirely revised: the number of plates was reduced from 55 to 38, yet the content was enriched by using smaller scales and synthesizing phenomena. The review describes the atlas's major sections—topography, geology, oceanography, hydrology, meteorology, biogeography, demography, economy, and administration. It praises new features such as the 1:1,000,000 topographic and population-vegetation maps, and the map of geographical regions based on multiple criteria. The author concludes that the atlas, with its accompanying text, is a first-rate cartographic achievement, offering an exhaustive monograph of Finland and serving as a powerful instrument of cultural propaganda.

Eugene van Cleef

This review evaluates the Atlas of Finland (1925), published by the Geographical Society of Finland. It outlines the atlas's background, contents, and improvements over the 1910 edition, including revised physical maps, detailed vegetation and population distribution, and thematic maps on trade, culture, and infrastructure. The accompanying text volume, written by leading authorities, interprets the maps and is presented in Finnish, English, and Swedish. Though the reviewer notes minor shortcomings in paper quality, English translation, and some cartographic techniques, he regards the atlas as a significant and praiseworthy contribution.

H. Richter

This review discusses the third edition of the Atlas of Finland (1925–1929), prepared by the Finnish Geographical Society. Compared with earlier editions, it updates geographic data, omits historical maps, condenses the text, and improves the layout of urban maps. The atlas covers physical geography, population, climate, hydrography, flora and fauna, as well as economic and cultural life, with particularly notable maps led by Professor Granö. Its comprehensive content and clear organization earned wide acclaim from both the public and geographers.

Ulrich Kriesche

Development and Current State of Finnish Cartography [Abstract] The development of Finnish cartography has been profoundly shaped by the country's changing political fortunes. Military needs created an early demand for maps, but successive wars and shifts in sovereignty prevented uniform mapping efforts across the whole country. In addition, the vast, sparsely inhabited northern regions long lacked reliable survey data, so early maps were often inaccurate. Sixteenth-century European maps depicted Finland in heavily distorted form, although Simon van Salinghen's 1601 map already showed Lapland remarkably well. During Swedish rule in the 17th century, Andreas Bureus introduced scientific and systematic mapping, promoted triangulation, and produced geometric cadastral maps. A land survey institution was established in 1633, Finland's first geographic map appeared in 1641, and Gripenhielm's map of 1688 represented a significant improvement. After stagnation in the early 18th century due to the Great Discord, mapping resumed after 1743, benefiting from triangulations by Maupertuis and others; Hällström improved relief representation with a careful hill-shading technique. By the end of the 18th century, the Finnish Reconnaissance Brigade had produced the country's first military topographic map. In 1809 Finland became a Russian Grand Duchy, and in 1812 the General Land Survey Office was founded, leading to further systematic surveys. The article also discusses modern developments in Finnish cartography, including geodetic foundations and map types such as the practical economic map at 1:100,000 and the Finland Atlas. The author concludes that the present war will again give fresh impetus to Finnish mapping.

This article introduces the compilation background, process, content, and features of the Atlas of Finland. Published by the Geographical Society of Finland in 1925, the atlas comprises 38 colored maps and over 300 thematic maps, covering physical, human, and economic geography. Its distinctive feature lies in economic geography maps, particularly those on forestry, agriculture, and industry, reflecting Finland's national economy centered on forest resources. The atlas prioritizes maps with supplementary text to visually present Finland's conditions, holding significant academic value and international influence.

Juan Benito Arranz

At the 1956 International Geographical Congress, a Commission on National Atlases was established to encourage and standardize the production of such works. A national atlas synthesizes contemporary knowledge of a country's physical, human, economic, and political geography. The first national atlas, at least chronologically, was the Atlas of Finland, published in 1899; subsequent editions appeared in 1910 and the late 1920s. This article reviews the evolution of national atlases worldwide, their interruption during wartime, and renewed publication in fascicles after 1945. It then focuses on the three Finnish editions, analyzing their structure, cartographic improvements, and shortcomings, and concludes that the Atlas of Finland exercised considerable influence and remains a significant model for geographic synthesis and national planning.

This review describes the fourth edition of the Atlas of Finland, published by the Geographical Society of Finland in 1960. First issued in 1899, it is the world’s oldest national atlas. The new edition, initiated in 1953 under Gabriel Granö and later led by Väinö Auer, was prepared by a large team of specialists. It contains many new maps reflecting the profound structural changes in Finland since the 1925 edition, based on extensive original research. The accompanying text was deliberately kept concise, while fuller information is available in the Handbook of Finland’s Geography. The work maintains a high scientific and technical standard and confirms Finland’s leading position in the production of national atlases.

Ena L. Yonge

This article is a comprehensive review of regional atlases, written by Ena L. Yonge. The author begins by noting that, given the ever-increasing flood of atlases from around the world, individual reviews of each publication are impossible; therefore, a summary survey is adopted. She also stresses that no single reviewer can be sufficiently expert in all aspects of geography, cartography, and linguistics to render sound critical judgments. The roughly one hundred regional atlases discussed are grouped primarily by continent or large region and then arranged alphabetically by country. In the European section, the author evaluates national and thematic atlases from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, and other countries, covering topics such as road transport, historical geography, climate, population, economy, and land use. She comments in detail on cartographic quality, scales, printing techniques, and practical utility. For example, the Austrian national atlas, directed by Hans Bobek and Erik Arnberger under the Commission for Land Planning of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, was published in five annual parts and demonstrates excellent cartography and printing. The Atlas de Belgique and the Atlas du Survey National supplement each other with plates on hydrogeology, phytogeography, agriculture, basic industries, waterways, and railways. The Climatic Atlas of Czechoslovakia is praised for its beautiful large-scale maps of temperature and precipitation. The article then turns to North America, focusing on state atlases in the United States, including Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. These atlases cover agriculture, forestry, economic resources, historical geography, and population, often compiled by universities or state agencies for educational and planning purposes. In the South American section, the author highlights notable publications such as the Atlas do Brasil, the Atlas de economía colombiana, and Venezuelan climatic and forest atlases. Throughout the review, the author acknowledges the scholarly value and cartographic achievements of many works while also pointing out occasional problems such as overly large formats or inappropriate scales. Overall, the article provides a broad and informative reference guide to regional atlases for scholars in geography, cartography, and related fields.

М. М. Бабар; Р. С. Нарских; Л. С. Серебряный

This article reviews the fourth edition of the *Atlas of Finland*, published in Helsinki in 1960. Organized by the Geographical Society of Finland, initiated by Juho Granö, and completed under the leadership of Väinö Auer after his death, with Leo Aario as chief editor, the atlas was compiled by experts in geology, geomorphology, forestry, and economic geography, drawing extensively on literature and field survey results from the Department of Geography at the University of Helsinki. The atlas comprises 39 pages and 415 maps, primarily at scales of 1:9,000,000 and 1:6,000,000, published in Finnish and English, with many map annotations also provided in Swedish. The content emphasizes socio-economic maps (28 pages), with 11 pages of physical maps, covering in sequence relief, geology, Quaternary deposits, climate (34 maps), hydrology, water resources, biogeography (51 maps), forests, mires, and zoogeography. There are over 40 maps of population and settlements, as well as thematic maps on agriculture, industry, transportation, tourism, foreign trade and ports, cooperatives, finance, education, health, and elections. The foreign trade maps reveal a significant growth in Finnish-Soviet trade: in the 1930s, the Soviet share did not exceed 2.4%, but by 1955 it had reached 16%, now ranking second in Finland's foreign trade. The atlas places great emphasis on spatial and temporal dynamics, employs a variety of cartographic methods, and includes numerous original maps. Compared with the third edition, comprehensive maps have notably increased, particularly in physical geography and economic geography regionalization maps. Its shortcomings include a lack of comprehensive geomorphological, soil, geobotanical, zoogeographical, and general economic maps; some statistical maps are outdated and rely heavily on choropleth mapping methods. Overall, the atlas is highly regarded, praised for its extensive content and high level of cartographic generalization, representing a significant advancement in national atlas compilation. It received high acclaim at the cartographic exhibition of the 19th International Geographical Congress in Stockholm in 1960.

Leo Aario

Finland produced the world's first national atlas in 1899; the fourth edition appeared in 1960. This report outlines how the Geographical Society of Finland, having initiated the project in 1953, collaborated with the University of Helsinki's Department of Geography to compile the new work. Since existing map material was unsuitable, the department's staff adapted data and drafted most maps. The atlas comprises 415 maps (versus 275 in the previous edition), achieved largely by smaller scales; stronger colours improve legibility. Temporal dynamics are depicted using paired maps, curves, and 106 corner diagrams, while standardized colour scales allow inter-map comparison. By 1960 all maps were printed; the atlas was published in February 1961, followed by a Finnish text volume in May 1961 and an English one in April 1962. The article documents a significant achievement in Finnish and international cartography.

D. H. Maling

This review first examines the fourth edition of the Atlas of Finland, a national atlas published in 1960. It traces the historical continuity of the series, notes its meticulous compilation by Finnish geographers, and analyzes the cartographic layout, scale choices, and colour printing techniques. The atlas contains 39 plates with 455 maps and diagrams; most thematic maps are at small scales (1:6M or 1:9M), allowing many separate maps to be displayed on each double page. The review praises the effective use of colour combinations and legibility but points out defects such as occasional careless masking and indistinct place-names. A second review discusses a book on Christopher Greenwood, a significant British county mapmaker, highlighting his contribution to pre-Ordnance Survey cartography and the facsimile of his 1822 map of Worcestershire.

A. Götz

This review examines the Atlas of Finland (Suomen Kartasto), published in 1960 as the fourth national atlas of Finland, following earlier editions in 1899, 1910, and 1925. Compiled by the Finnish Geographical Society and the Geographical Institute of the University of Helsinki under the editorship of Leo Aario, the atlas comprises 39 plates and 416 maps covering physical geography, population, agriculture, industry, transportation, and education. The reviewer praises its outstanding content and cartographic quality, particularly highlighting the 1:1,000,000-scale map comparing rural population distribution with cultivated land. The atlas employs continuous graduated symbols and choropleth maps with relative values, achieving clear visual presentation. Criticisms include the outdated statistical data (mostly from 1950) and the absence of explanatory text. Nevertheless, the atlas serves as an exemplary model for national atlases of smaller countries, demonstrating that a relatively compact atlas can achieve excellence in all respects.

Georges Chabot

This review assesses the fourth edition of the Atlas of Finland (1960), published by the Finnish Geographical Society, which pioneered the national atlas format in 1899. The atlas comprises 421 maps and an accompanying text volume, with legends in Finnish, English and sometimes Swedish. It covers physical geography, population, agriculture, industry, commerce, transportation, and regional divisions. The reviewer notes that the maps show major advances in Finnish cartography, such as detailed topographic coverage, and illustrate profound postwar changes: population concentration and aging in the south, northern growth, agricultural restructuring, and expansion of mechanical and electrical industries. The work is praised for its comprehensive information, effective use of color, and concise English commentaries. It represents a continuation of Finland’s tradition of national self-representation and remains a valuable reference for geography.

Wolf Tietze

The fifth edition of the Atlas of Finland, published by the National Board of Survey and the Geographical Society of Finland, has evolved from a national identity symbol into an exemplary educational and reference work. It integrates comprehensive maps, statistics, and explanatory texts on regional geography with high standardization and readability. The atlas is designed as a continuously updated educational tool for schools and the general public, promoting understanding of environmental and social challenges. The author regards this initiative as a pioneering model worthy of international attention.

Finland was among the first countries to compile a national atlas, with its initial edition in 1899 setting a global precedent. This article examines the 1960 edition, compiled by the Geographical Society of Finland and the Department of Geography at the University of Helsinki. The atlas comprises 39 double-page plates containing 415 maps, covering physical, human, and regional topics. It excels in physiographic, glacial deposit, climatic, and forest maps, as well as socio-economic maps of population, agriculture, and industry. The 1960 edition, accompanied by a 1962 English manual, is notable for its systematic content and advanced cartographic methods, serving as a key reference for regional studies.

Bengt Rystedt

This article examines the historical evolution of two cartographic projects. The Atlas of Finland, the world's first national atlas, went through six editions from 1899 to 2002, each reflecting contemporary political, scientific, and social contexts: early editions carried nationalist overtones, while later ones became more comprehensive and academically rigorous, culminating in a centenary edition. The Automobile Association (AA) of the United Kingdom, founded in 1905, initially collaborated with Bartholomew before producing its own maps and atlases and adopting digital methods by the 1990s. This account illustrates technological progress and the changing roles of national and commercial cartography.