Book reviews: Atlas of Australian resources

Summary

The review examines the “Fish and Fisheries” and “Mineral Deposits” sheets of the Atlas of Australian Resources, Second Series. The fisheries sheet combines two regional maps with a national overview, using coloured areas, patterned symbols and diagrams to show fishing grounds, landings, fishers and vessels, processing facilities, markets and overseas trade. The reviewer particularly praises its integration of coastal types and tides, but notes that some overlapping colours and patterns impair readability. He also draws attention to the accompanying text booklet’s accounts of individual fish species. The mineral-deposit sheet distinguishes seven mineral groups by colour, grades deposits by their share of mineral production value, and indicates mining activity through lettering. The reviewer praises its symbol system and legibility while noting positional compromises in clustered mining areas, including Mt Isa and Broken Hill. He regards the two sheets as significant advances in thematic cartography.