Canada's National Atlas Program in The Computer Era

Summary

This article examines the functional positioning, user group identification, and digital technology application strategies of Canada's National Atlas Program in the computer era. Author Richard Groot argues that the core function of a national atlas is to provide a comprehensive overview of a country's geography in map form, fostering understanding of geographical interrelationships, and serving as an accessible, timely information source. The article identifies four major user groups: government administration, scientific research, education, and the public sector, leading to a program structure comprising a Canada Gazetteer Atlas and a Thematic Atlas. Regarding digital technology, Groot contends that despite substantial initial investments, the trend toward digital data supply and evolving user needs will compel national atlas programs to adopt digital methods. The key lies in applying digital technology to database management rather than solely for graphic output, thereby maximizing return on investment by enabling users to generate custom maps and analyses on demand. The conclusion emphasizes that the national atlas program should operate as an ongoing, dynamic initiative, utilizing digital databases to better serve users, with expected cost-effectiveness significantly surpassing traditional approaches that apply computer technology merely for map production.