The literary Digest Atlas of the Worldand Gazetteer. Especially prepared with many unusual features by Rand McNally & Co. published by Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York, 1931. Hardcover. Map Endpapers, 256 pgs.
The maps in this atlas are windows into the past, and gives us a deeper appreciation of the intricate relationship between geography and history. When this atlas was published, countries were still recovering from the devastating effects of the First World War and grew protectionist; trade and immigration restrictions followed. When the U.S. stock market crashed on October 29, 1929, the Great Depression was already starting to affect countries around the globe. The depression spread to Europe by 1931, pushing many governments toward authoritarian regimes. In Germany, the country’s economy tanked and unemployment soared. Germans were drawn toward radical anti-democratic parties on both the right (Nazis and nationalists) and the left (Communists), which promised solutions. In 1931, Japan began its World War II offensive by staging the Mukden Incident and Spain became a republic after the public voted for the republican parties.
This atlas is a treasure trove for the study of world history. It has fascinating information on population distribution, countries physical features, climate, governments, agriculture, forests, fisheries, minerals, old airline routes, old road routes, and old railroad routes.
Contents:
MAPS OF THE WORLD
THE WORLD
North America
Canada
Central America
Mexico
United States
States, Alphabetically
West Indies
SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Venezuela
EUROPE
Belgium
British Isles
Central Europe
Denmark
Eastern Europe
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
ASIA
China
Chosen
French Indo-China
India
Iraq
Japan
Siam
Turkey
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
Hawaii
Canadian Province Maps 160-171
Western Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
The Solar System
United States Airway Map
Europe Airway Map
North America Airway Map
South America Airway Map
Chronological Review of Aviation History
United States Railroad Map
United States Auto Road Map
Gazetteer-Index
Geographical description of Principal Countries
United States Cities Alphabetically by States
Foreign Cities
Gazetteer-Index of the World
CONDITION: This book is in poor condition. The cover is worn, ripped, soiled, and scuffed. Binding/spine deterioration. Bumped cover corners. Pages have turned yellow from age. Foxing to paper commensurate with age. The name of the original owner is written on the contents page. A few dog-eared corners. Pages 63 to 67 & 167 to 170 are separated from the spine but are still present. Tape was applied by previous owner along the spine between pages 6 & 7. The lower right of the page 255 is chipped (a piece is missing along the edge). Please see pictures. THE PICTURES ARE TO BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE DESCRIPTION. PLEASE REVIEW THEM FOR A BETTER IDEA OF CONDITION.