The core of the atlas is brand-new maps from MapArt Canada, covering every province and territory in detail. Enhancing these maps are sidebars incorporating spectacular state-of-the-art 3-D satellite photography of each area's distinctive topography. An additional feature is downtown street maps of Canada's major centres.

Prefacing the maps is a series of eighteen double-page spreads exploring the land, climate, wildlife, resources, industries and peoples of Canada. An innovative treatment of the history and contributions of Canada's First Nations cultures appears among these spreads. Packed with up-to-date information, charts, graphs, photographs and other visuals, these pages set a new standard in revealing Canada as it is today.

The Canadian Atlas replaces an earlier Reader's Digest atlas, published in 1995, which sold 35,000 copies through the Canadian trade before going out of print in 2001.