Presentation of the national atlas in Côte d'Ivoire

Summary

This address was delivered by Gilles Sautter at the official presentation of the Atlas of Côte d’Ivoire on 21 December 1970, when both completed sheets and draft layouts were displayed. Sautter explains its scientific conception as a thematic atlas of physical, human, and economic variables, emphasizing government support, resident research teams, and collaboration between ORSTOM and the National University. Drawing on regional surveys conducted in 1963–1966, compilation involved supplementary investigation, data harmonization, changes of scale, cartographic generalization, and indicator construction, complicated by relatively limited statistical documentation. He argues that explanatory notes and comparisons between maps support interpretation, hypothesis formation, and further research. The atlas is intended to inform development decisions through economic mapping, identification of geographical constraints, and analysis of urban and regional organization. Flow and income maps remained planned components, while final policy choices belonged to political decision-makers.