L'atlas de France

Summary

The Atlas of France, proposed by Robert Perret to the French National Committee of Geography in 1922, did not begin regular publication until 1933, with an original plan of five years. To date, 60 plates have been issued, with about 20 remaining. The atlas adheres to a principle of originality, with each plate representing independent research; 49 scholars have contributed, at an average cost of 20,000 francs per plate. Notable features include full maps of France at scales of 1:1,000,000 or 1:1,250,000, covering topography, geology, climate, hydrology, economy, industry, transportation, and political-human geography. Innovative contributions include thermal profile maps, precipitation variability maps, river regime maps, oceanographic maps, forestry maps, mineral resource maps, fisheries maps, road traffic maps, tourism maps, and political opinion distribution maps. Although delayed by the laborious production of large maps, the atlas is expected to be completed before the next International Geographical Congress.