New Edition of the Fundamental The World Atlas

Summary

This report describes the compilation, content, and uses of the third edition of The World Atlas, published in 1999 by Russia’s Federal Service of Geodesy and Cartography. It updates political and geographical information since the 1954 and 1967 editions, with particular attention to changes in Russia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and other regions. The volume contains 563 pages: 286 pages of maps and a 277-page geographical-name index, organized around the world, Russia, continents, oceans, and polar regions. Compilation drew on domestic and foreign maps, satellite imagery, and documentary sources. Associated methodological work addressed projection selection, feature selection, place-name transcription, unified symbols and typography, and the combination of computerized and traditional publishing techniques. Maps proceed from general coverage to regional detail, principally through general geographical and political-administrative maps supplemented by larger-scale maps of selected regions and cities. Coordinated conventions govern hydrography, settlements, transport, relief, and boundaries. Russian and English editions were printed in runs of 3,000 and 1,000 copies, respectively; naming conventions use Russian forms, local Roman-alphabet spellings, or officially adopted romanization systems as appropriate to each edition. The authors emphasize that consistent compilation principles support comparisons between territories and describe reference uses for government, media, and educational institutions.