A high recording density magnetic tape with a magnetic layer comprising magnetic particles, binder, curing agent and high molecular weight fatty acid, provided on a non-magnetic substrate, characterized in that the Ra value (center line average height) of the surface of the magnetic layer is 10 nm or less, and that the Z value defined by the following equation is 3.2 or more: Z=C1/(C2+C3), wherein C1 is the spectral integral intensity, measured by X-ray photoelectronic spectral analysis (ESCA), of a carbon atom, which is single-bonded between carbon-carbon atoms, C2 is the spectral integral intensity, measured by ESCA, of a carbon atom, which is single-bonded to a carbon atom and an atom with an electric negativity degree higher than that of a carbon atom, and C3 is the spectral integral intensity, measured by ESCA, of a carbon atom, which is double-bonded between carbon-oxygen atoms.
High recording density magnetic tape and process for the production thereof