National Atlas of India

Summary

The publication of the National Atlas of India in Hindi marks the completion of the first phase of the National Atlas Project, with a more comprehensive edition planned for the end of the Second Five Year Plan. Prepared by the National Atlas Organization under the Union Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, the atlas comprises 28 sets of specialized maps emphasizing socio-economic distribution patterns over mere place-name locations and physical features. It is the first Indian atlas to adopt the metric system, presenting heights in metres, distances in kilometres, areas in hectares and square kilometres, rainfall in centimetres, and temperature in degrees centigrade. The loose-leaf format allows individual maps to be extracted for detailed study, and English legends and explanatory notes are included to facilitate international use. Based on the latest data from central and state governments, the maps cover administrative divisions, relief, drainage, climate, soils, forests, land use, agriculture, livestock, power, industries, transport, population distribution, education, health, archaeology, and tourism, offering fresh insights into India's physical, economic, and social conditions.