Atlases

A Geographical Reference subtitle Click to edit Master Resource

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What is an Atlas?

An atlas is a collection of maps bound in a single volume. This use of the word is said to be derived from a representation of Atlas supporting the heavens placed as a frontispiece to early works of this kind, and to have been first used by Mercator in the 16th century. OED

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Types of Atlases

General World Atlases

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The Times Comprehensive World Atlas Atlas of the World

Historical Atlases
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National Geographic Historical Atlas of the United States Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World

Thematic Atlases
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The National Atlas of the United States of America Atlas of World Religions

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What Questions do Atlases Answer

Where are the Channel Islands in relation to the United Kingdom and France? How far did the boarders of the Roman Empire extend at the end of Caesar's reign? What highways do I take to travel from Cleveland, OH to Nashville, TN?

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Evaluation of Atlases

Scale Color and Symbols Publisher/Authority Indexing and Place Names

Currency Balance of Map Coverage Accuracy Legibility and Understandability

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Evaluation, Cont.

Scale and Projection Publisher or Authority

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Identifies the Scale Quality publisher Accuracy Reliable authorities

Consistency Indexing and Place Names Color an index? Is there

o o o

How is the used? Whatis colorextent?

How is it Symbols arranged?

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Consistency Effectiveness of communication Symbol key

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Evaluation, Cont.

Currency Accuracy
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How current are the maps? Is the information included accurate?

Balance of Understandability Legibility &Map Coverage

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Are colors, symbols, andcountries, cities appropriately and evenly continents, regions, place names clearly legible covered?

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Reference Recommendations

The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World

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HarperCollins, 12th Edition, 2008

13th Edition is also now available, published in 2011

Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World

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Princeton University, 2000

The 2012 Road Atlas

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Rand McNally, 2012

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The Times Atlas

50 Cartographers Index of 200,000 entries with full geographical coverage 4 Scales Used Clearly defined map symbols and place names 12th Edition
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320 Color Plates 3,500 place name changes

13th Edition
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320 Color Plates 7,000 Place name changes

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Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World 221 Classicists and 22 Cartographers, 82
Reviewers 11 Years in the making 99 full color maps 2 Primary Scales with 2 secondary Clearly defined map symbols and place names Latin and Greek Names

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The 2012 Road Atlas

United States, Canada, and Mexico 350 cities and 20 U.S. national parks Road Construction Mileage charts for 90 cites

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