Discovery Atlas

Discovery Atlas
File:Discovery atlas logo.gif
Narrated by	Various people
Opening theme	"Discovery Atlas" theme
Country of origin	Worldwide (Discovery Channel countries)
No. of episodes	9
Production
Running time	42 or 100 minutes (approx.)
Original release
Network	Discovery Channel
Release	October 1, 2006 – present

Discovery Atlas is a documentary television series on the Discovery Channel and Discovery HD Theater which focuses on the cultural, sociological, and natural aspects of various countries by exploring their different peoples, traditions, and lands. The documentary follows the lives and individual struggles of locals, while taking in-depth looks at the countries' history and culture. There have been a total of four episodes to air as of yet: the first episode, Discovery Atlas: China Revealed aired October 1, 2006, and was followed by Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed, Brazil Revealed, and Australia Revealed.

According to the Miami Herald, the series will be shown over five years and focus on a total of 20 countries, with the possibility of more. Four countries will be featured each year. [1] Other sources, including the Australian Discovery Channel and Discovery Communications Inc websites, have said that the series will focus on thirty countries. [2] [3]

Season 1

#	Airdate	Title	Country	Narrator
1	October 1, 2006	China Revealed	China	James Spader
2	October 8, 2006	Italy Revealed	Italy	Isabella Rossellini
3	October 15, 2006	Brazil Revealed	Brazil	Sela Ward
4	October 22, 2006	Australia Revealed	Australia	Russell Crowe

Season 2

#	Airdate	Title	Country	Narrator
1	November 4, 2007 **	Mexico Revealed	Mexico	Edward James Olmos
2	November 11, 2007 **	South Africa Revealed	South Africa	Andre Braugher
3	November 18, 2007 **	India Revealed	India	Mira Nair
4	May 8, 2008	France Revealed	France	Candice Bergen
5	May 8, 2008	Japan Revealed	Japan	Masi Oka
6

** Not shown on Discovery Channel America.

Episode synopsis

China Revealed

This episode focused on the rapid development of the People's Republic of China in modern times, and also introduced several Chinese cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong), the improvement of rural communities (Longshen, Taizhou) and the lives of various ordinary Chinese people (a rice farmer, a Shaolin monk and his students, a Mongolian horseman, a gymnast who is an Olympic hopeful, an Imperial bowmaker, an architectural millionaire, a window washer, a girl tempted by cosmetic surgery and a policewoman). Traditions of ethnic minorities (Mongolians) were also mentioned. The film uses both exciting western music as well as traditional Chinese music.

Italy Revealed

Italy Revealed depicts the passionate culture of Italy as it follows six stories of Italians, including a jockey participating in a traditional palio, to a former fisherman setting a free-diving record off Sicily's coast, to the Missoni family's fashion world and a Venetian gondolier's attempt to keep his family in his native city.

Brazil Revealed

This episode shows Brazil's celebrative spirit as it follows the stories of some of Brazil's citizens, as well as giving insight into the history and culture of the country. Among the people followed include a female soccer player struggling to play in what is considered a man's sport, a helicopter pilot in São Paulo, a rancher taking part in his first rodeo, and a dancer in preparation for Carnival.

Australia Revealed

This episode revealed the young nation's determination and tough nature, while focusing on Australia's marvelous ancient cultures that contain the nation's beat and the traditions of some of Australia's oldest indigenous populations, as well as the country's modern achievements. Some of the subjects of the documentary include an Aboriginal man trying to follow his ancestors' old ways, a professional swimmer, a jackaroo (or cowhand), and a fence builder working on the continent's longest single fence.

France Revealed

This episode spotlights the radical new ways in which France is changing the world. From sports like free running and urban climbing, to unexploded munitions removal, to more traditional events like eating and watching fireworks, the French are setting new trends in many different aspects of life. Unlike most episodes of Atlas, France Revealed is only one hour long.

Japan Revealed

Japan Revealed focuses on the unique balance in Japan between the seasons and life, and keeping old traditions alive in a modern world. The episode follows the lives of a geisha in training, a tuna fisherman, a group of Ama divers, two trend setting schoolgirls, a family competing in robotics fighting, and a tattoo artist. Unlike most episodes of Atlas, Japan Revealed is only one hour long.

Future Episodes

Although the 3 first episodes has just been aired on Discovery, it is not sure when episode 4 in season 2 will be aired.

Future episodes will include Egypt.

Home video

The initial four episodes were released on Blu-ray and HD DVD in high-definition on 30th January 2007. Each episode is sold separately and as a 4-disc box set.

External links

• Official Discovery Atlas website
• Discovery Atlas at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com show