The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World

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Why we love it

World reference atlases are revered publications, known for quality, consistency and magnificence. The Times Atlas of the World, first published in 1895, is on its 14th edition in the current format. With 132 map plates and more than 220,000 indexed names, it is marketed as The Greatest Book on Earth. We love it because it is a benchmark of cartographic excellence, exhibiting well-crafted and refined cartography.

Why it works

As you might expect, the cartography here is exquisite. There is an almost unimaginable amount of detail packed into each map, yet the positioning of every element appears to have been carefully thought through. The balance and hierarchy of detail and nuanced symbology make the maps coherent. Tremendous effort goes into making each map page work in perfect harmony with the entirety of content.

Important steps

  • Conduct thorough research

    The Collins Bartholomew team, supported by a global network of expert advisors, meticulously research geo-information required to create the maps, with particular focus on environmental change, infrastructure development, geopolitical/boundary issues, and place names.

  • Keep scaling in mind

    The cartographers revise the base ArcGIS databases used to create the maps, remaining always mindful of the key principles of cartographic generalization and selection applicable to small- and medium-scale reference mapping.

  • Place and orient labels

    Relevant layers of data for the area within the extent of each map is extracted from base data, projected, and processed through a standalone Maplex rulebase with 1,100+ individual rules to apply required cartographic symbology and place all labels.
    Tips for working Maplex Label Engine

  • Use Adobe Creative Suites for final touches

    Final tweaking of the map content, addition of page furniture, and creation of high-resolution, print-ready PDF files is performed using Adobe Creative Suite.
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Requirements

  • Data and software

    Vector data required for the map base is extracted from Collins Bartholomew's ‘Explorer’ ArcGIS databases. Place names (including alternative name forms required for the index) are extracted from Collins Bartholomew's Locate Oracle database. Software used: ArcGIS Desktop.
    Visit Collins Bartholomew’s site

  • Analysis

    Editorial policy is established and sound principles of cartographic design applied to develop the specification for the maps. This is then reflected in the data and Maplex (Esri’s labelling engine used in ArcGIS) rule base used to create the maps.

  • Time

    It typically takes one day to revise the base data in ArcGIS for one atlas map. Cutting, projecting, and processing data through Maplex takes one hour. Fine tuning the map and preparation of print ready files in Adobe Creative Suite takes two or three days.
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Tips and tricks

  • Make your map accurate

    Take enough time to ensure that the base data is structured correctly and that it accurately reflects the editorial policy of the atlas.

  • Proof your map for errors

    Proof map data output early in the process so that errors can be fixed once only.
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Resources

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Collins Bartholomew Cartographic Team

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