A systematic approach to national atlas mapping

Van Elzakker describes his preparation of Plate XI-16-S, “Outdoor Recreation,” published in 1981 as part of the supplement to the first edition of the Atlas of the Netherlands. He studied and classified recreation activities, consulted specialists and potential users, and developed an ideal design before assessing available data. Missing information on extensive forms of day-trip recreation and on demand required some proposed maps to be omitted or replaced, with others enlarged or divided. The completed plate contains 18 maps—12 at 1:3,000,000 and six at 1:2,000,000—grouped into long-stay recreation, day-trip recreation and land use. Van Elzakker acknowledges that comprehensive coverage proved impossible; the plate emphasizes recreation facilities, with waterside activities prominent among the day-trip maps. He also explains how its fishing maps represent the relationship between supply and demand.