Book reviews: Atlas of the Netherlands

Summary

W. Stams reviews five sheets forming installment 10 of Atlas van Nederland, published in 1975 and printed in 1974. The geology sheet combines six extracts from the new national geological map at 1:100,000 and 1:50,000 with three strongly vertically exaggerated profiles. The national geomorphological map at 1:600,000 distinguishes landform types and their genesis through 83 area patterns and five symbols. Stams notes its detailed treatment and complete depiction of dikes and dwelling mounds in the polders, but criticizes the excessively pale topographic base. Nine accompanying extracts at 1:50,000 allow readers to assess the main map’s generalization; their shared legend also gives typical and maximum local relief. A forest and natural-area sheet depicts these areas alongside larger cities’ built-up land and heavy and light soils. The agricultural sheet presents farm size, parcel size and number, tenancy, land purchase prices, family labor and standardized farm units, consistently using percentage or value classes.