Reviews: Atlas of Israel: Cartography, physical geography, human and economic geography, history

Summary

This review assesses the second edition of the Atlas of Israel (1970), an English-language publication offering comprehensive coverage of the country's geography, history, politics, economy, society, and culture from the early 20th century onward. The reviewer praises its detailed physical geography—including geology, climate, hydrology, flora, fauna, and land use—and human geography sections on population, settlement, agriculture, industry, trade, and services. However, notable criticisms include the absence of maps depicting the 1918–1948 British Mandate borders and the pre-1967 boundary with Syria, including the demilitarized zones. Some maps, such as those showing cultural amenities, are deemed superfluous, and the tourism section is considered inappropriate for an academic atlas. Despite its excellent production and rich information, the atlas exhibits selective omissions and political bias.