Introduction to Foreign Atlases: The Soviet "Ocean Atlas"

This article reviews Soviet marine atlases published from the 1950s to the 1970s, including the three-volume 'Marine Atlas' and the two-volume 'World Ocean Atlas'. The former is divided into volumes on nautical charts, physical geography, and war history, detailing oceanic geography, hydrology, climate, and biological features, with topography uniformly represented by contour and isobath lines. The latter extends coverage to deep seas and the atmosphere, encompassing ocean history, basement structure, climate, hydrology, biogeography, and navigational charts, notable for its extensive data and wide scope. Additionally, the 'Physical-Geographical Atlas of the World' is mentioned, which comprehensively presents global natural environments, including terrain, geology, and climate, hailed as a landmark in world geoscience. The article aims to introduce the content, features, and significance of these atlases in geography and oceanography.