XI'AN, March 9 -- A map covering the major countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt was published in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, compilers said on Monday.

According to the Shaanxi Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, the atlas includes geographic, transportation, culture and economic information covering 16 countries and regions including China, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkey.

The atlas is the first comprehensive profile of the major countries along the silk road.

China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative was proposed in 2013 to improve cooperation between China and countries in Central Asia and Europe.

The Silk Road Economic Belt will be established along the ancient Silk Road trade route, stretching northwest from China's coastal area through Central Asia, the Middle East and on to Europe.