Bericbte und kleine Mitteilungen: Atlas of Australian Resources

Summary

This review assesses the completed "Atlas of Australian Resources" published by the Department of National Development, Canberra, in 1960. The atlas comprises 30 map sheets (reduced from the originally planned 50) with accompanying texts, covering the entire continent at a scale of 1:6,000,000. The reviewer examines the maps thematically: physical features, geology, mineral deposits, climate, water resources, soils, vegetation, land use, industry, transport, and population. He praises several sheets, particularly the geological map, the mineral deposits map, and the vegetation map, for their detail and informative design. However, he criticizes the atlas for relying on outdated data (population from 1947, some maps from 1951-1954), the absence of a general topographic map and a comprehensive index, and inconsistencies between related maps (e.g., vegetation vs. pastoral land). He also notes the omission of important topics such as plant and animal diseases. Despite these shortcomings, the reviewer concludes that the atlas provides a comprehensive geographic and economic overview of Australia, demonstrating the achievements of European settlement over 150 years and serving as a valuable reference for future development. The review highlights the atlas's significance as both a scientific resource and a national achievement, while acknowledging the challenges of producing a national atlas over a long period.