NATIONAL ATLAS OF SOUTH WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) - inscribed by the Administrator-General Dr. W. A. van Niekerk

Publisher's pictorial hardcover binding.

Contains 91 full-page maps with accompanying descriptive text on the facing page.

Inscribed on the front endpaper: "To Mr. Robert Morris with best personal regards W. A. van Niekerk, Administrator General, 11th of January 1985."

Willie Abraham van Niekerk (1937-2009) was Administrator-General of South West Africa from 1983 to 1985 and Minister of Health in P. W. Botha's government from 1985 to 1989.

'Owing to an intense interest in South West Africa in the late seventies on the one hand and and a shortage of published information concerning the territory on the other hand, the idea occurred to the former South West Africa Administration to compile an atlas which would combine the most important information about the physical, demographic and economic features of the country in one document.

The realisation of this ideal was further pursued at a later stage by my predecessor, Dr. G. N. Viljoen, who requested the Directorate of Development Co-ordination to continue with the compilation of the atlas. The Institute for Cartographic Analysis of the University of Stellenbosch was appointed in 1981 to assist with the compilation of the atlas.

Masses of information concerning the territory had to be worked through, revised and condensed to 91 maps and a number of diagrams which depict the territory of South West Africa in all its facets in order that even the unenlightened can obtain an accurate and comprehensive picture of the territory.

This atlas will undoubtedly play a useful role in the provision of easily interpretable information about South West Africa to both the inhabitants of the territory as well as persons and institutions from outside who are increasingly showing an interest in South West Africa.

I trust that this extensive source of information will make a substantial contribution to the further development of South West Africa which, with its variety of people and physical characteristics, is indeed an exceptional country.' - W. A. van Niekerk