National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition—Natural World and Human World

Natural World

An artistic blend of digital elevation data draped over a three-dimensional globe sets the stage for a section of the National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition, composed of maps focusing on natural resources and elements including biodiversity, freshwater, and tectonics.

Human World

In the Human World map, mountains are not physical features but rather demographic elements. World human population density data has been converted to a digital elevation model and displayed in a low-angle oblique view, amplifying the human scale of cities, such as Tokyo and Jakarta, and densely populated places such as most of Asia, the Nile Valley, Europe, and the east coast of South America. Initially termed a crazy idea, this graphic has quickly become a staff favorite. It sets the stage for a section of maps in the National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition, focusing on human issues such as economy and trade, health, cultures, and migration.