As a dedicated cartophile I have collected hundreds of atlases, including every edition of the National geographic Atlas in the last 40 years. The maps continue to be superb, BUT the emphasis is overwhelmingly on the northern hemisphere and islands. There are detailed maps of the United States, Canada and Europe, but once south of the Equator there are none. This is an ongoing NGS fault.
South Africa, the Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires area, and southeast Australia are examples of areas where detailed maps would be appropriate.
Australia, the same size as the USA and more than twice the size of the European Union is covered by just one map. Perversely the most remotely populated areas of Australia (Cape York and top end of the Northern Territory) are covered in great detail on the edge of the Papua-New Guinea map. New Zealand and Papua-New Guinea, both a fraction the size of Australia, are mapped in far greater detail, and uninhabited Pacific and Antarctic islands receive detailed coverage. Maps of the areas mentioned above have been published by the NGS, just not in their atlases.
Many of the thematic maps at the beginning of the atlas are new, but some are too predictable. The maps of cell phone subscriptions, traditional phone lines and personal computers are almost identical. The map showing passenger flights totally ignores South America and the fourth busiest air route in the world between Sydney and Melbourne.
And just what is the "Mexico City effect" mentioned on the Natural Hazards map. It is not defined anywhere on the map or its caption.
Even the mighty NGS can make mistakes. On the map of the Arctic Ocean Floor, Alaska's Kenai Peninsula is labeled as Seward Peninsula, while the true Seward Peninsula at Bering Strait is correctly labeled.
Overall the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World is yet to be beaten. ( )