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.