The “Polski Przegląd Kartograficzny” on the centenary of its first issue – an analysis of content (1923–2022)

In 2023, one hundred years had passed since the publication of the first issue of Polski Przegląd Kartograficzny (PPK) – the only Polish scientific journal devoted exclusively to cartography. This anniversary provided an opportunity to conduct an analytical and historical review of the journal’s achievements. The article aims to present a quantitative and qualitative analysis of PPK’s content over a century. The study examines changes in the number of publications of various types (articles, reviews, reports, etc.) as well as the evolution of the thematic scope of the articles.

The methodology involves a content analysis of the journal divided into seven publishing periods, using statistical data on the number of publications, the structure of sections, and subject matter. Editorial, structural, and functional changes are also considered, including the transition to an open-access model, the introduction of an English-language edition, and the launch of new publication series.

The results indicate a gradual adaptation of PPK to the changing academic and technological environment. In the interwar period, the journal focused mainly on reviews and bibliographies of Polish cartographic publications, whereas after 1969 scientific articles presenting the national cartographic output began to predominate. Since 2015, PPK has been published as the Polish Cartographical Review in English, accompanied by a supplement in Polish and a thematic library.

The collected data make it possible to capture the fundamental changes in the nature and role of the journal, as well as its significance as a forum for the exchange of scientific ideas and for documenting the development of cartography in Poland. The article presents PPK as an example of the transformation of a local periodical into a journal that has secured its place in the international academic circulation.