The number of Western academic studies on historical atlases has always been relatively low

摘要

even noted by the authors of previous research that investigated this unique field, that intersects both cartography and historiography. The recent increase in attention that this field has been receiving in the last two decades demonstrates the historical atlas is a subject of study worthy of consideration with a research potential yet to be fully understood. The purpose of this article is 1) to provide a review of the studies on historical atlases in English and German, 2) to propose a division of the studies in two different schools (German and British-American) and 3) to highlight both recent developments and significant gaps in research on historical atlases. Finally, we offer recommendations for future research on historical atlases.