Conference Paper

Some elements in the development of the National Atlas of Canada

By Norman L. Nicholson· 1960

Publication: Abstracts of Papers, International Geographical Congress, Norden 1960
Pages: 213-214

Canada · Version 1

1906–1915

Nicholson records that Canada's first reference atlases appeared in 1906 and 1915, both in English, and that by 1937 demand was felt for a new edition reflecting Canada's bilingual national affairs. He adds that no records of the earlier editions survived, so the postwar National Atlas was treated as an entirely new project.

← Back to Canada

View whole-article summary

This paper reviews key developmental elements in the creation of the National Atlas of Canada. Early editions (1906 and 1915) were English-only, and by 1937 a new edition reflecting Canada's bilingual character was needed. In 1948, the federal government tasked the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys with this project. Lacking prior records, it was essentially a new undertaking. An Atlas Committee, comprising representatives from major map-producing agencies, was formed to address broad issues: defining the atlas's purposes, determining physical specifications (sheet size and base scales), choosing between topical and regional organization, and deciding on bilingualism. Actual production rested solely with the Geographical Branch, covering compilation, layout, design, drafting, and liaison with printers.