Journal Article

Homenaje a la Patria: Latin American National Atlases

By Robert B. Kent· 1995

Publication: Latin American Research Review
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 256-265

Peru · Version 2

1989

Kent calls the 1989 Atlas de Perú an impressive 400-page, 20-by-14-inch volume, about half maps and half explanatory text, printed in color with post bindings and weighing close to eleven pounds. It was produced mainly by the Instituto Geográfico Militar, with a civilian geographer as editor, more than sixty scientific collaborators, and seventeen institutions. Most country maps use one of three layouts (full page at 1:1,500,000, a smaller map at 1:7,200,000, or four maps per page at 1:11,000,000); Kent judges the cartography generally high in quality but notes that some pictorial symbols are hard to interpret and that the absence of chapters or section headings forces readers to consult the table of contents carefully. A roughly 50-page opening resembles school atlases, with national symbols and general astronomical and earth-science material as well as historical maps and coverage of exploration and conquest. The core of about 150 pages combines maps and interpretive text on anthropology, territorial division, border conflicts, the physical environment, and human use of the environment; more than 50 pages of departmental maps are each faced by a satellite image. The final third is mostly text, including hydrological and departmental descriptions and a detailed administrative listing, ending with a place-name index; Kent criticizes the lack of a general bibliography and the frequently imprecise citations.

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This article reviews and evaluates six recently published national atlases from Latin America, including the Atlas de Colombia (4th edition), Atlas Nacional de México (3 volumes), Nuevo Atlas Nacional de Cuba, Atlas de Perú, Atlas Nacional de la República de Panamá, and Atlas de Bolivia. The article first defines the criteria for a 'national atlas': it must be produced under the auspices or with the approval of the national government, aim to provide broad thematic coverage of the nation, and be produced to high intellectual and cartographic standards for scholarly research. It then provides detailed assessments of each atlas, covering physical specifications, organizational structure, thematic content, cartographic quality, and strengths and weaknesses. The Atlas Nacional de México is particularly praised for its monumental scale, rich thematic coverage, and fine cartography, though it is noted for overly complex symbols and lack of an index. The Nuevo Atlas Nacional de Cuba is recognized as a continuation of Cuba's strong cartographic tradition, demonstrating extensive collaboration and high production quality. Other atlases show varying strengths in thematic breadth and presentation but commonly suffer from vague citations, lack of general bibliographies, or missing indexes. The article concludes that while the quality of these atlases ranges from outstanding to barely acceptable, all serve as valuable reference sources for Latin American studies, with environmental, cultural, and historical content retaining long-term utility, and recommends their acquisition by university libraries with relevant programs.