National Atlases: Their History, Analysis, and Ways to Improvement and Standardization

Summary

This document, prepared on behalf of the Commission on National Atlases of the International Geographical Union under the direction of Prof. K. A. Salichtchev, aims to systematically review the history of national atlases, analyze their current state, and propose pathways for their improvement and unification. National atlases are defined as comprehensive fundamental geographical atlases of individual countries, encapsulating and generalizing contemporary scientific knowledge of their physical, economic, and political geography. Their core value lies in containing a maximum of information in a minimal volume, presented in an expressive and accessible form for practical use. In 1956, the 18th International Geographical Congress identified the creation of national atlases as a key task of contemporary geography, leading the IGU to establish a dedicated commission to assist in their creation and refinement, and to promote unification for comparability and future use in creating international world maps. This work, submitted to the 19th International Geographical Congress, comprises three chapters: Chapter I traces the history and analysis of national atlases; Chapter II addresses general considerations, atlas components, and mathematical foundations; Chapter III details the subjects and content of maps. The text notes that while the history of national atlases spans just over half a century, the concept dates back to early proposals by figures like Marshal de Vauban and Russian cartographer I. K. Kirilov. The 19th-century differentiation of sciences and statistical development provided the necessary groundwork. The document emphasizes that modern national atlases should include series of maps covering physical environment, population, economy, culture, and politico-administrative divisions, recommending standardized basemaps, projections, and classification systems to ensure international comparability. An appendix provides a detailed list of recommended map subjects, ranging from geology, climate, and hydrology to industry, agriculture, transport, and culture, offering a systematic framework for national mapping efforts.