Atlas of Kolkata

The National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation's (NATMO) latest contribution to Kolkata, capital city of the state of West Bengal, is large-format maps incorporating landmarks and other details including land-use patterns, communication networks, and available infrastructural facilities and amenities. The initial base maps, at 1:4,000 map scale, were prepared by interpreting large-format aerial photographs and—when necessary—high-resolution satellite imagery. Using ArcGIS, data layers were created, updated, and completed with attribute information collected from exhaustive fieldwork.

The Atlas of Kolkata covers the entire Kolkata Municipal Area in 278 map sheets at a more manageable scale of 1:5,000. In addition, the Bidhanagar (Salt Lake) Municipality is covered in six map sheets at a 1:10,000 scale. A general index allows for quick reference to points of interest such as schools, hospitals, post offices, police stations, government offices, landmarks, markets and shopping centers, and parks. The atlas also includes an index of old street names and their corresponding new names, and vice versa. Extensive care was taken during the map-design phase. With the vast amount of information, careful placement of annotation and preparation of cartographic symbols help achieve maximum readability.

This map of B.B.D Bag, the central business district of Kolkata, gives tourists, planners, and residents a glance of the city at 1:8,000 map scale. The map was produced in the ArcGIS environment and an attempt has been made to carefully balance the large amount of information and hierarchical range of visual detail. Custom point symbols were employed to distinguish the many landmarks scattered throughout the busy city. In addition, map readers can use the map index to quickly locate points of interest.