Atlas dictionary definition atlas defined yourdictionary. Atlases have traditionally been bound into book form, but today many atlases. Most maps in atlases show countries, roads, or physical features like rivers and. The maps in atlases show geographic features, the topography of an areas landscape and political boundaries. About 500 years ago, geradus mercator made a book of maps. With the iconic road atlas leading the way, our products have helped travelers make the most of their road trips for more than 100 years. Later collections of maps included similar pictures of atlas, and came to be called atlases. A travel atlas may also be referred to as a road map. In addition to presenting geographic features and political boundaries, many atlases often feature geopolitical, social, religious and economic statistics. So, now you know how atlas the keeper of all the world got its name. Each map is clear and detailed to help you plan your journey and includes 64 large scale street maps of 64 town centres. Road atlas buy cheap road atlas online at the works.
Even though a book of maps is called atlas because most early books had a picture of titan atlas holding the world. Atlases are useful books that can tell you a lot about the world, a country, or a. Celestial globes were very important in navigation, when sailors used stars to determine their position at sea. As punishment for fighting with the titans against the gods, atlas was forced to hold. There are also star atlases, which give the location and placement of stars, planets and other celestial objects. The definition of atlas is a book of maps or some type of. The family packed an atlas with road maps, just in case they got lost. Even though a book of maps is called atlas because most early books had a picture of titan atlas holding the world, the first to associate atlas with a bound collection of maps wasnt thinking. Atlas definition is a titan who for his part in the titans revolt against the gods is forced by zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders. Road construction and conditions contact information for every state conveniently located on map pages. Why is a book of maps called an atlas the handy geography. Our line of atlases, maps, activity books, and other fine publications are developed to inspire an interest in the world and enrich lifes journey. Rand mcnally 2020 deluxe motor carriers road atlas.
A road map is a map of a certain area zoomed in for direction purposes. Rand mcnally atlases, state maps, street maps, wall maps. Rand mcnally 2020 road atlas the most trusted and bestselling u. The lower portion of the moroccan atlas sometimes called the middle atlas.
And that is the reason why the atlas on mercators page doesnt appear to hold the globe on his shoulders, but hes rather designing the globe. The mythological person atlas is often associated, and pictured, on atlases. Road construction and conditions contact information for every state is conveniently located above the maps. Atlas was a mathematician, a wise philosopher and an astronomer who allegedly invented the first globe. An atlas is a book of maps that are zoomed out for locationional purposes. Atlas was a oversize called a titan who was forced to carry the earth and the heavens usually pictured as a sphere on his back. Rand mcnally 2020 road atlas with protective vinyl cover rand mcnally road atlas united. Many atlases also contain facts and history about certain places. The word was coined my the geographer and cartographer mercator, who published the first book called an atlas in 1595.
Atlas referred to a portrait of king atlas, a mythical african monarch. Rick steves rome 2020 rick steves travel guide top rated see more. A book containing a collection of maps is called an atlas. Atlases have traditionally been bound into book form, but today many atlases are in multimedia formats. The word was coined my the geographer and cartographer mercator, who. Some maps are specific, such as road maps or, like this one, sky maps. Book of maps definition of book of maps by the free dictionary. There are many kinds of specialized atlases, such as road atlases and historical atlases. Collins uk road maps plan your own journey, with collins britain essential uk road atlas 20 with speed camera locations, sat nav friendly postcodes for top attractions, high risk roads map and national rail network map. They also have information about the map and places in it. He picked the title on the basis that a mythological atlas of numidia was supposedly an early geographer. His image was often printed on books with maps and they eventually became known as atlases. Ever since then, a book of maps has been called an atlas.
They also show climatic, social, religious and economic statistics of an area. An atlas is a collection of various maps of the earth or a specific region of the earth, such as the u. The term atlas comes from the name of a mythological greek figure, atlas. Online shopping for books from a great selection of travel maps, atlases. A book or collection of maps is called an atlas, named for the greek god who job was to support the heavens and the earth.