The national atlas: its problem solving utility

Summary

This paper discusses the planning, design, and utility of the National Atlas of the United States, an official government publication that compiles comprehensive thematic and reference maps depicting the country’s physical, historical, economic, social, and administrative patterns. To ensure practical problem-solving value and scientific accuracy, the U.S. Geological Survey reviewed existing national atlases, consulted expert cartographers, and conducted a survey of over 8,000 potential users, yielding more than 7,700 responses. Results confirmed high anticipated utility across all major sections—general reference, physical, historical, economic, socio-political, administrative, index of map and chart coverage, and world relationships—and a broad intention to purchase. The atlas comprises approximately 500 pages, including a 1:2,000,000-scale general reference map series, maps of 26 urban areas, and about 350 pages of thematic maps covering topics such as administrative divisions, karst areas, land surface forms, population characteristics, and educational institutions. A detailed index of over 40,000 place names with geographic coordinates offers computerized locational data. Numerous applications are illustrated, from risk assessment in insurance and economic development planning to market analysis and educational reference, demonstrating the atlas’s multi-sector relevance. The paper also outlines production challenges related to paper, binding, and index compilation. The National Atlas is scheduled for decadal revisions aligned with the census, with individual sheets updated as new data emerge, and it is seen as a milestone in national cartographic reference, bridging current needs with future digital capabilities.