This annually published Bibliography provides an overview of cartographical literature published around the world. Each annual volume lists approximately 2,000 monographs and articles published in some 400 periodicals. These are all analysed by an international group of collaborating experts. Among the topics covered are the history of cartography, cartographic personalities and institutions, the making of maps, areas such as topographical or atlas cartography, or maps for the blind, film and screen maps and the use of maps. Titles are listed in their original language and can be looked up either in the Author Index or in the English, French or German list of contents.

This volume completes the International Cartographic Association's trilogy which has been prepared to provide an "Inventory of World Topographic Mapping", and contains specific details relating to the current coverage of states located in Eastern Europe, Asia, Pacific and Antarctica. The geographical positions of countries described are illustrated by means of a series of accompanying reference maps. The information supplied for each country consists of a text, including a brief history of the development of topographic mapping, geodetic data, map scales and series as well as extracts of maps and index sheets illustrating the present status of map coverage within that country. There is currently no other work employing the approach adopted in assembling this "inventory". This work is a comprehensive and important reference and source book for information in the field of topographic mapping.