Johnston's Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena, published in 1850, was a landmark in cartography, created in response to the increasing interest in understanding the physical and natural characteristics of the Earth. The atlas was influenced by Heinrich Berghaus' Physikalischer Atlas, which began appearing in installments in 1837, however this connection was never explicitly acknowledged in Johnston's work.
The atlas was issued in two formats: a concise version containing 24 primarily single-page maps and an enlarged folio version with 35 double-page maps. Compared to Berghaus' Physikalischer Atlas, Johnston's maps were generally less detailed but presented in a more digestible way than Berghaus' atlas, which some may find too crowded and overwhelming with detail.
Alexander Keith Johnston, the creator of this atlas, was a renowned Scottish cartographer. Together with his brother William, he managed a cartographic business in Edinburgh. Their firm, W. & A.K. Johnston, became one of the most respected map publishers of the 19th century, producing not only world class atlases but also globes, educational maps, and school atlases. Johnston was one of only three individuals since the 18th century to be appointed "Geographer Royal for Scotland," a prestigious honor that allowed him to provide geographic and cartographic advice to the British sovereign. His appointment underscored his contributions to the field of geography, both as a scholar and a craftsman.
The maps in the atlas were printed from steel plates onto sturdy paper, with outlines meticulously colored by hand. Each map was accompanied by several pages of explanatory text, providing readers with contextual information to deepen their understanding.
As was customary for many British atlases of the time, Johnston's atlas included an extensive index of approximately 3,000 keywords. This index cataloged place names, plant and animal species, ethnic groups, races, geographical features, and more. This index provides a handful way of locating certain phenomena on the maps an presents a small advantage over the German, otherwise superior, physical atlas.
Success of the physical atlas, which was later published in a second edition, reflected the 19th-century surge in public interest in the natural sciences, driven by advances in exploration, geology, and meteorology. Johnston’s contribution to cartography extended beyond this atlas, influencing future generations of geographers and educators.
Complete list of sections and maps:
1. Geology
- Geological structure of the globe
- The mountain chains of Europe and Asia
- The mountain chains of America
- Illustration of the glacier systems of the Alps (Mont Blanc)
- Phenomena of volcanic action
- Paleontological and geological map of the British Islands (frontispiece)
2. Hydrography
- Physical chart of the Atlantic Ocean
- Physical chart of the Indian Ocean
- Physical chart of the Pacific Ocean or great sea
- Tidal chart of the British seas
- The river systems of Europe and Asia
- The river systems of America
- Tidal chart of the world (page 41)
3. Meteorology
- Humboldt's system of isothermal lines
- Geographical distribution of the currents of air
- Hyetographic or rain map of the world
- Hyetographic or rain map of Europe
4. Natural History
- Geographical distribution of plants
- Geographical distribution of the cultivated plants used as food
- Geographical distribution of Quadrumana, Edentata, Marsupialia, and Pachydermata
- Geographical distribution of Carnivora
- Geographical distribution of Rodentia and Ruminantia
- Geographical distribution of birds
- Geographical distribution of reptiles
- Ethnographic map of the world
- Ethnographic map of Great Britain and Ireland
