AntiAtlas

AntiAtlas is a term used in critical cartography and human geography to describe a form of counter-mapping that challenges conventional state-centric and monetized mapping practices. Rather than representing territory through standardized topographic abstractions, AntiAtlas projects foreground marginalized voices, non-hegemonic spatial narratives, and pathways of resistance. The concept emerged from counter-mapping and critical GIS movements in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as scholars and community groups sought to document rights, dispossession, and alternative geographies that official maps often overlook.

Practices associated with AntiAtlas include participatory mapping with affected communities, oral histories, and the integration of non-traditional data such as memory sites and environmental justice concerns. Digital tools may be used, but the emphasis is on relational and contested space, temporality, and process over fixed representations. AntiAtlas products often produce layered or decolonized maps that invite viewers to question sovereignty, land tenure, and infrastructure projects.

Applications span indigenous land claims documentation, urban informality studies, refugee and migration mapping, and environmental justice campaigns. Outputs range from online atlases and zines to public installations and community workshops, frequently oriented toward advocacy and education.

Reception has been mixed: supporters argue that AntiAtlas democratizes cartography and reveals neglected geographies; critics caution about methodological subjectivity and the potential for selective representation. As a concept, AntiAtlas remains fluid, with diverse implementations across regions and disciplines.

Related topics include counter-mapping, critical cartography, participatory GIS, and decolonizing methodologies.