Atlas nationaux des ressources naturelles

Summary

This article provides systematic organizational and technical guidance for the creation of national natural resource atlases, with a particular focus on the needs of developing countries. It first clarifies the core objectives of such atlases, which are to comprehensively summarize and synthesize existing knowledge of a country's natural conditions and resources to serve the correct assessment for economic development, the rational use and protection of natural resources, overall territorial planning, and subsequent in-depth analysis. Structurally, the article recommends that atlases follow a logical sequence from geology, minerals, geomorphology, climate, hydrology, soils, and vegetation to fauna, and divides maps into two categories—fundamental and optional—to accommodate different data availabilities. The article then details the compilation principles and content requirements for various map types, including geological, geomorphological, climatic, hydrological, pedological, vegetation, and faunal maps, while also emphasizing the importance of socio-economic maps as supplementary information. Regarding organization and management, it stresses the necessity of establishing an authoritative editorial committee, outlining its central role in planning, coordinating numerous participating institutions, organizing the author team, and reviewing and accepting author manuscripts. The article describes the pre-publication workflow in detail, from the submission of author manuscripts and their review by the editorial committee to the subsequent cartographic and printing stages. In the cartographic and printing phase, it distinguishes between different types of proofs, such as the line proof before color separation, the line proof after color separation, and the complete proof, explaining their respective purposes and review points to ensure final print quality. Finally, the article underscores the importance of rigorous planning, the formation of a professional editorial and cartographic team, and the provision of necessary equipment to ensure the coordinated and high-quality execution of the atlas project.