National Atlas of the Republic of Azerbaijan
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Mammadov, G.; 2Abdullayev, J.; 3Bayramov, M.
1STATE COMMITTEE ON LAND AND CARTOGRAPHY Email: 2012informatika@gmail.com
2STATE COMMITTEE ON LAND AND CARTOGRAPHY Email: javid.ab@gmail.com
3BAKU CARTOGRAPHY FACTORY Email: bkf_map@mail.ru
Abstract
Due to increasing demand for cartography materials in Azerbaijan in recent years, the State Committee of Land & Cartography of Azerbaijan Republic has been expanding its activity in production of maps and atlases. Therefore, since 2003, first time in our country, a complete production circulation of topographic maps in Azeri was established, and integrated wall maps and atlases for schoolchildren; the Ecological Atlas of Azerbaijan Republic; the Atlas of Lands of Azerbaijan, the Tourism Atlas of Azerbaijan; the Historical Map of Azerbaijan; the Agro-Climate Atlas of Azerbaijan; the Historical Atlas of Nakhichevan were developed. Each of the produced maps and atlases meets existing international standards in the sphere of cartography in terms of their quality, content and design. Generally, the State Committee of Land & Cartography has published maps and atlases dedicated to more than 200 various subjects up to now. The greatest achievement of the Committee in this sphere is the development and publishing of the National Atlas of Azerbaijan Republic. In order to ensure the publication of the National Atlas of Azerbaijan Republic, the President of Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev signed Decree No 1436 of April 20, 2011. In order to successfully implement such an unique publication project, the State Committee of Land & Cartography had to arrange its work in mutual cooperation with a range of government authorities and Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS). For this purpose, working groups comprising of 108 persons were established in a short time period. At the same time, the Committee was conducting initial collection, assessment, selection, and placement and processing and etc. of data in Baku Cartography Factory. As the development of cartographic materials included multi-sectoral spheres of economy, a series of discussions, analyses and specifications in various authorities, including the State Committee of Land & Cartography were conducted many times. It should be noted that despite the works in relation to the development of the National Atlas started in 2011, they were finished early 2014, due to the large capacity of the works and availability of the materials in various ministries and organizations and sectoral institutes of the ANAS, and processing of those materials afterward into a model of map. The first edition of the Atlas including its explanation texts and indicators was published in total 5,000 copies in 3 languages, that is, in Azeri, Russian and English. The President of Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev highly esteeming the publication of the National Atlas, which was the result of an intensive work, stated the followings: ‘The National Atlas of Azerbaijan Republic is the first valuable and large-scale cartographic publication about our country.’ Containing comprehensive scientific information, the Atlas developed according to Decree of April 20, 2011 of the President of Azerbaijan Republic provides rich information about the nature, population, economy, environment, history, culture, science and education of the country. The high official publication status of the book regarding Azerbaijan, developed thanks to the long-term work of scientists and experts practicing in various spheres further contributes to its importance.’ For informative purpose, I have to mention that the National Atlas of Azerbaijan Republic contains 19 sections, 444 pages and up to 1,000 maps, diagrams, schedules, explanatory texts, slides and other important materials and information. The content of the Atlas includes all major spheres of economy and socio-cultural life, whilst it also reflects background information on our country through cartograpic mean. The development of the National Atlas of Azerbaijan Republic is an important event in the scientific and cultural lives of our country.
Keywords
Azerbaijan; National atlas; map