National Atlas of Italy

Summary

This article reviews the National Atlas of Italy, published in 1940 by the Italian Touring Club, edited by Giotto Dainelli with technical execution by Piero Corbellini's Cartographic Laboratory. The atlas comprises 82 colored plates containing 508 maps, covering topics such as physical geography, climate, population, agriculture, industry, commerce, and education, aiming to comprehensively illustrate contemporary conditions in Italy. Based on census data from 1927-1931, the atlas employs isopleth methods for statistical mapping; however, the author criticizes this technique for potentially creating misleading gradients along administrative boundaries. Despite this flaw, the atlas is regarded as an exemplary work of its kind, offering rich content and exquisite cartographic craftsmanship that serve as a valuable reference for regional geographic studies.