Atlas geograficzno-statystyczny Polski

Summary

This article introduces the 'Geographical-Statistical Atlas of Poland' compiled by Eugeniusz Romer. Created against the backdrop of Poland's political partition, the atlas aims to cartographically present the demographic, religious, cultural, economic, and social conditions of the historical Polish territory (as of 1772) and its Polish population, thereby fostering a sense of national unity and demonstrating Poland's significance to the world. The atlas comprises 65 maps in four parts: physical and historical-political, national and cultural, agricultural and social, and industrial and transportation. The author details the significant challenges overcome during compilation, particularly the difficulty of harmonizing statistical data collected under the divergent systems of the Russian, Prussian, and Austrian empires. He elaborates on the complex calculation methods, such as converting production values into worker numbers, which were necessary to create unified industrial and agricultural maps. Furthermore, the author discusses his methodological innovation in cartography, employing an interpolation method to create isarithmic maps (a term he coined) for a more accurate representation of socio-geographic phenomena. The atlas serves not only as a vital resource for studying Poland's history and contemporary situation but also as a basis for assessing wartime losses and contemplating the nation's future.