The National Atlas of Germany - Knowledge Transfer via Maps

Summary

Thematic atlases are a specific kind of storages for knowledge: On the one hand series of thematic maps are a very suitable instrument to represent a complex world in a clearly depicted way as their production entails steps of selection of information and their visual condensation. On the other hand the making as well as the reading of maps is a cultural technique, requiring certain experience. Therefore knowledge transfer by atlases has to take into consideration in a communication model technical requirement, capabilities and expectations from the side of the users. The article reflects on challenges and on the transfer-strategy via cartographic products of Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography. The exemplification is given through the National Atlas Federal Republic of Germany and follow-up products which were derived from the original.