A suggestion to include a few more maps in the National Atlas of India

Summary

A national atlas is essential for portraying a comprehensive geographical perspective of a nation. This paper suggests additions to the preliminary edition of the National Atlas of India (1957) to enhance its utility. Proposed maps include a retro-azimuthal projection centered on India to clarify directional relationships with the world, and a set of four maps depicting mean January and July sunshine hours, annual total sunshine, and generalized isolines of radiation for agricultural planning. Further suggestions cover irrigational potentiality in unirrigated areas, distribution of economic timbers, commercial fruits and spices, and poultry farms. Socio-economic maps are recommended for educational facility coverage, radio broadcasting stations with frequencies, district-wise living standards based on per capita expenditure, and food grain surplus/deficit regions. Supplementary illustrations include monthly solar altitude graphs for five cities, a graphic of the equation of time, comparative mountain peak elevations, and river lengths. These additions aim to provide a more complete and practical reference for diverse users.