Atlas of Sweden

The review surveys Atlas över Sverige (National Atlas of Sweden), issued by the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography after 25 years of work by about a hundred contributors; its first fascicle appeared in 1953. It describes 75 fascicles containing 520 maps across 11 themes, from geology to political conditions. Swedish texts with English translations supplement the maps with numerical data, diagrams and special maps. The reviewer praises the treatment of geology, climate, lakes, vegetation, population, agriculture, forestry and cultural geography. Particular examples include population histories supported by early registration records, an agricultural map using 37,000 correctly positioned squares to represent cultivated land, and forestry maps based on the 1938–52 national forest inventory. The reviewer notes that lengthy production left some statistics dated, especially in the agriculture fascicles, while later supplements partly updated population and economic information. The atlas is recommended to public officials, technical and business professionals, teachers and researchers. State grants, foundations and private contributions financed the work.