ELECTRONIC STATISTICAL ATLAS PRODUCTION IN TURKEY: POTENTIAL AND IMPEDIMENTS N. ULUGTEKIN 1 , I.O. BILDIRICI 2 , O.F. GOKCEN 1 1 ITU Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dept. of Geodesy & Photogrammetry, Div. of Cartography, 80626 Maslak ISTANBUL TURKEY 2 Selcuk University, Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Geodesy & Photogrammetry, Div. of Cartography, 42079 KONYA TURKEY In this paper, an electronic statistical atlas as a case study is described. The authors have completed development of a prototype of the atlas, which present the spatial information in the statistical yearbook in an atlas structure that contains thematic and animated maps. The paper also reports how statistic geometric and non-geometric data are captured and combined. Aim of this research is to show the possibilities of producing such an electronic atlas and bring suggestions for data modeling and design problems on a prototype, which is produced and will be produced by authors. The potential of statistical data of spatial character in Turkey is evaluated. The problems related to spatial and non-spatial data capture; update problems are also in detail discussed. 1. Introduction Development of Electronic Atlases is a research field in cartography. Some developed countries have created their own electronic atlases or national atlas information systems however [Ormeling 1995]. In Turkey, there are several atlases of different design and quality. Unfortunately there is no high quality atlas produced by an experienced team for certain group of users. Especially school atlases are full of basic mistakes that lead misunderstandings [Uluğtekin 1989]. In Turkey there is also no National Statistical Atlas. Some of the atlases contain maps based on statistical data. It is possible to find electronic media examples with various aims on market but they are generally commercial products, which are not produced by experts. Atlases are systematic and coherent collections of geographical data in analog or digital form, presenting a specific area and/or one or more geographical themes, based on a specific objective or narrative, together with tools for navigation, information retrieval, analysis and presentation. Atlas structure refers to the basic framework according to which the maps have been incorporated in the atlas. It is based on the emphasis on specific areas or map themes and on the sequence in which these maps follow each other. The narrative is the term for the objective behind the atlas. Map sequence and map emphasis contributes to the atlas narrative. The maps on an atlas spread together tell a story. Basically, atlas structure is a matter of emphasis and sequence. Emphasis is