The Future of the International Million Map of the World

Abstract

form map of the world on the scale of one to a million. Despite some criticisms the project was generally approved by geographers, and resolutions supporting it were adopted by the Fifth International Geographical Congress, Berne, 1891, and subsequent congresses. For years no progress was made, since the task was clearly beyond the resources of any geographical society or publishing house. Realizing that only with the backing of Government mapping agencies could any practical progress be made, the British Government took the decisive step of inviting interested coun? tries to an international conference in London in 1909. It was then agreed that the publication of the sheets would be the task of the relevant national mapping agencies and that the sheets should conform to detailed specifications approved by the Con? ference. The President of the Conference was Colonel S. C. N. Grant, Director General of the Ordnance Survey. Colonel C. F. Close (afterwards Sir Charles Arden-Close), Head of the Geographical Section, General Staff, and the Hon. Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, and J. Scott Keltie, Secretary R.G.S., also represented Great Britain. Professor Penck was one of the German delegation. It is clear from the records that it was on the initiative of Colonel Close that this all-important step was taken. Amendments to the decisions taken at London