The new atlas of Egypt

Summary

The Atlas, which has been specially prepared for the Congress, by desire of His Majesty the King of Egypt, aims at presenting as clear a conspectus as possible of present-day knowledge concerning the orography, geology and meteorology of Egypt, together with the leading facts concerning its economic geography. The orographical map on the 1/M scale represents the first serious attempt to contour the entire surface of the country. A comparison of the orographical and geological maps appearing in the Atlas with similar maps previously published shows the great advances that have been made in recent years in geographical knowledge concerning Egypt. This rapid progress is mainly due to the use of motorcars instead of camels for transport in the deserts. Recent surveys have led to two unexpected discoveries of great importance. The first relates to the water supplies of the Libyan Desert where the static water-levels of the existing water-sources, apparently, form points on a gently curved underground surface, the contours of which can be drawn without reference either to the surface relief or to the geological structure. This working hypothesis permits the selection of suitable sites for new wells in regions devoid of water. Two excellent wells have already been sunk. The second discovery is that of the Qattara Depression, a great natural excavation embracing 18,000 sq. km. of area below sealevel. This depression, the discovery of which is due to Dr Ball, presents great potentialities as a source of hydro-electric power, being capable of producing 200,000 kw. The investigation of a definite project for the utilization of the Qattara Depression and the study of the numerous engineering problems which arise are being carried out by the Survey of Egypt. In the meteorological section of the Atlas the whole of the Nile basin is included in the maps, which are based on the records from 58 meteorological stations (27 in Egypt and 31 in the Sudan) and from nearly a hundred other stations at which only rainfall is observed. The maps and diagrams which form the economic section are chiefly concerned with the distribution of population and the areas and values of the various agricultural crops. Two facts, prominently brought out by these maps, are, first, the deficiency of cultivation and population in the northern parts of the Delta, and secondly, the much greater value of the perennially irrigated lands of Upper Egypt as compared with the basin lands. Both these facts emphasize the great need for further irrigation works.