Generalization of geographical names on atlas maps

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki analizy generalizacji nazw regionów fizycznogeograficznych, szczytów i przełęczy na mapach w siedmiu wielkich atlasach ogólnogeograficznych.Generalization of names has not been discussed in cartographic literature. The article attempts to formulate the rules which govern generalization basing on the analysis of geographical names on the maps of Sudety mountains and Iberian peninsula in the following seven major geographical atlases: Atlas Świata published by The Topographical Service of The Polish Army (1962-1968), The World Atlas - the English version of the Soviet Atlas mira (1967), The Times Atlas of the World (1999), Geograficzny Atlas Świata (Geographical Atlas of the World) published by PPWK (Polish Cartographical Publishers) (1997), Wielki llustrowany Atlas Świata (The Great Illustrated Atlas of the World) published by GeoCenter (1993), Brockhaus Enzyklopadie Weltatlas (1993) and Gran Atlas Aguilar (1969). Objects for analysis are chosen according to numerous criteria. Land lowerings - lowlands, basins and passes are omitted much more frequently than mountains, uplands and peaks. This supports the views of W. Horn (1965) on the priority of generalization of concave forms over the generalization of convex ones. Another important criterion for selection of objects is their height. Names are given to highest mountain ridges and their top peaks. In the case of passes their relative height is important. Location of regions and their role are crucial e.g. names are given to flank parts of mountain ridges (Łużyckie Mountains), passes located on major transportation routes, mountain ridges which lie on state borders (Pyrenees). Double naming is the least solved issue. A rational solution - linking the name choice of a trans border object to the main topic area presented on a map - is rarely applied. It is noteworthy that most analyzed atlases use Tchech names of trans border ridges in Sudetes, irrespectively of the main topic area of the map. When double names are used on maps, they are sometimes placed in an inconsistent way, even on a single map (fig. 4). Analysis of maps within one atlas shows many irregularities, e.g. more names being placed on a map in a smaller scale, or various heights of the same peak. A comparison of name generalization in selected atlases reveals inconsistency also on maps in similar scales (fig. 9,10,11). As a rule the maps of the country where the atlas was prepared show more detail. The article suggests some models of generalization of names of geographical regions, peaks and passes (fig. 12, 13, 14). Consequent stages of the process provide less information, it is only in the case of regions that an additional piece of information is presented at a certain stage (name of a bigger region)