Maps and Atlases: Atlas of Brazil

Summary

This paper presents a multi‑part review of recent cartographic publications and a report on a geography excursion. First, it surveys a historical atlas of Saint Petersburg, tracing city plans from 1703 to 1914. It highlights key maps—such as the 1717 de Fer plan, the 1753 Academy of Sciences plan, and the first detailed atlas of 1797 with statistical data—and links cartographic progress to the city’s economic rise: by the late 18th century its port handled over half of Russia’s foreign trade, and by 1914 its 2.2 million inhabitants made it a political and cultural hub. Second, the paper evaluates the *Atlas do Brasil “Globo”* (1953). This national atlas provides a full‑page map for each federal unit, but coverage is uneven; vast, sparsely populated states receive the same space as tiny territories, and maps lack hypsometric shading, showing only drainage and transport networks. Third, it reviews the *Guia Rodoviário e Turístico do Estado de São Paulo* (1955), a road and tourist guide with a 1:1 million map. Finally, the paper describes the first Czech geography excursion to the USSR in 1958—a six‑week visit to Moscow, Kharkov, and Leningrad. Participants studied Moscow’s geography, visited industrial sites and newly discovered gas fields, and donated Czech geographic literature to Moscow State University. The excursion strengthened academic cooperation and political understanding. Overall, the text underscores the historical value of cartographic documents and the significance of international fieldwork in geography.