National atlas of Belarus – a synthesis of knowledge about the modern country

Summary

The National Atlas of Belarus holds a special place among cartographic publications. As an encyclopedic work of a scientific and reference nature, presented as a system of thematically linked and mutually coordinated maps covering the history, nature, population, economy, culture, international relations, and other characteristics of the country, it reflects the level of cartographic production and is published as a work of national significance and prestige. This article reviews the historical background and process of compiling the National Atlas of Belarus, focusing on the content, structure, and significance of the first edition published in 2002, and elaborates on the comprehensive update work for the second edition (2024), driven by socio-economic development, informatization, and the latest scientific research. The second edition, while retaining the original format and main scale, has been expanded to 20 sections, 348 pages, containing 704 maps and diagrams, of which 243 are published for the first time. The new edition features structural adjustments, placing the 'History' section at the beginning, and incorporates new content reflecting recent archaeological discoveries, Belarusian folk dialects, the country's place in the world, the transport and logistics system, healthcare, scientific and educational development, and cultural and sporting achievements. It particularly emphasizes the preservation of historical truth about the Great Patriotic War and the event of national unity. The article notes that the National Atlas serves as an authoritative national source of information, and its renewal is a task of state importance aimed at comprehensively presenting the natural, social, and economic profile of contemporary Belarus and fostering national identity. Finally, the article suggests that with the advancement of information technology, creating a state atlas information system becomes a new task for cartographers.