Mapy a Atlasy: Národní atlas Indické republiky

Summary

This article presents the background, organizational framework, content structure, and technical specifications of the National Atlas of the Republic of India. The atlas project, initiated in 1951, was designed to systematically present the physical and economic-geographical characteristics of India. It was managed by the National Atlas Organization under the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, with major facilities in Calcutta and Dehradun. The atlas employs multiple scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:20,000,000) and is divided into three main sections—physical, economic-demographic, and socio-historical—comprising approximately 300 map sheets covering topics such as geology, climate, hydrology, soils, agriculture, industry, transportation, population, and culture. The article also highlights challenges encountered during compilation, including data insufficiency and inadequate inter-institutional coordination, and emphasizes the atlas's significance in enriching geographical knowledge of India.