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1 200 000. All these maps portray the surface of the earth by means of contour lines
and a plastic shading effect under a slanting light from NW.
The entire map (1 50 000) should be ready in a few years. As to the 1 25 000
edition, the sheets for the flat country and the prealpine regions are almost complete
while the very pleasing 1 100 000 map to date includes large parts of the Swiss Alps
and the surrounding country and is meeting much attention. All these maps are
noteworthy for their elegant design and for the great precision in the technical pro-
duction.
Apart from the official maps Switzerland disposes of very initiative and capable
private cartographic institutes the activities of which may be traced back Over more than
one hunderd years. They produce school maps and school atlases, hiking maps, road
maps etc. and further reproduce special technical and scientific maps (thematic maps)
of all kinds. We may mention Messrs. Kümmerly Frey, Geographica! Institute in
Berne, Hallwag Ltd. Berne and Messrs. Orell Füssli, Arts Graphiques Ltd., in Zürich.
The latter reproduces the Swiss High School Atlas, published by the cantons, drawn
and edited by E. Imhof.
Cartographic work combines scientific research with technical skill and artistic creation.
For decades Switzerland has developed its own cartographic means of expression, its
own map style. Because of the alpine character of Switzerland and due to the great
public demand for hiking maps particular efforts are being made to produce maps
which are close-to-nature portrayals of the country. The relief should appear as plastic
as possible with the help of light and shade and the colours are adapted to the general
impression received from the countryside. From a topographical map we expect no
mere geometrical and other information given by means of an abstract rendering, but
want to see in it the immediate portrayal of the landscape. This trend is typical for
the graphic expression of all Swiss topographic maps whatever their scales may be.
Our survey of Swiss cartography would be incomplete without mentioning the special
or so-called thematic maps. In recent years thematic cartography has gained significance
everywhere. Geological, geomorphological, botanical-geographical and other very de-
tailed cartography is highly developed in Switzerland as well. Besides numerous new
single and general maps on soil, climate, Vegetation, structure of population, agriculture
and industry we today have new national and cantonal atlases for history, ethnology
etc.. A complete national geographical atlas is in preparation.
May this short introduction assist in placing the various exhibits in their proper
perspective and so help to show that also with her maps and surveying techniques
Switzerland has contributed something of value to modern civilisation.
