Geometric Atlases - Presentation
Geometric Atlases (1630-1650)
The geometric atlases contain all the oldest large scale maps Sweden has. A primary task after the establishment of the National Land Survey was the mapping of villages and homesteads and their land. It was principally the Crown that was interested in this mapping.
Maps were drawn showing fields and meadows and described yields and other facts of an economic nature. It is unclear whether the primary purpose was to provide a foundation for taxation but the maps can however, be considered to be the forerunner to today's land use and property maps.
Map coverage varies in different parts of Sweden. The atlases contain a collection of parish and judicial maps in large volumes. The geometric atlases should not be confused with the Crown atlases which contain information about freehold properties. The Crown atlases were Swedens first property register and the geometric atlases the first map register.
There are approximately 60 volumes from 1630 - 1650. The common scale is 1:5 000.
