National atlases as indicators of scientific and economic change

Summary

This paper examines national atlases as indicators of scientific and economic change, using Canada's three national atlases (1906, 1915, and 1957) as case studies. It analyzes four dimensions: coverage, method of presentation, order, and language. The study reveals that national atlases not only document geographical knowledge and cartographic techniques but also reflect national development in resource exploitation, urbanization, and sociocultural evolution. Significant differences across the three editions in size, thematic scope, cartographic accuracy, and reliance on statistical diagrams demonstrate Canada's deepening geographical understanding and advancing cartographic artistry over half a century. The paper concludes that national atlases should attain a status comparable to periodic censuses, facilitating continuity in staff and conceptual approach for future geographical research and planning.