at·las

/ˈatləs

1. 1.a book of maps or charts.

"a road atlas"
2. 2.

Anatomy

the topmost vertebra of the backbone, articulating with the occipital bone of the skull.

An atlas is a book of maps, charts, or tables that can be used

to show information about geography, history, or other subjects

.

Uses

• Geography: Atlases can show countries, continents, roads, rivers, mountains, and other physical features.
• Politics: Atlases can show political boundaries, such as the status of borders between states.
• History: Atlases can show historical information.
• Science: Atlases can show information about anatomy, botany, zoology, or the environment.
• Social issues: Atlases can show social, religious, or economic statistics.
• Travel: Atlases can show information about places of interest, such as major cities.

Examples Children's World Atlas, Lonely Planet Kids: Amazing World Atlas, Atlas of Remote Islands, and 3D Weather Globe and Atlas.

Atlas use by geographers

Geographers use atlases to track changes over time, such as changes in roads.

etymology

late 16th century (originally denoting a person who supported a great burden): via Latin from Greek Atlas, the Titan of Greek mythology who supported the heavens and whose picture appeared at the front of early atlases.

From Dutch atlas, from Latin Atlas, from the name of the Ancient Greek mythological figure Ἄτλας (Átlas, “Bearer (of the Heavens)”), from τλῆναι (tlênai, “to suffer”, “to endure”, “to bear”).

psychology

In psychology, Atlas is used metaphorically to describe the personality of someone whose childhood was characterized by excessive responsibilities.[41]