Internet resources: Pre-revolutionary atlases of the Russian Empire go online

A unique collection of the Russian Empire atlases now can be freely accessed on Internet. Book facsimiles are available on the website of “Runivers” library.

“Atlas of the Russian Empire”, published in 1722-1737 — is a unique example of the early stage of Russian cartography. Creation of atlas was initiated by one of the most prominent figures of education of the second quarter of 18th c. I. Kirilov. The atlas contains 34 pages of maps, as well as the front page, frontispiece, dedication to the Empress Anna of Russia (Anna Ivanovna) and her portrait which have been digitized in original format.

In 1745 the Russian Academy of Sciences published the “Atlas of the Russian Empire” in the Russian language, which for the first time introduced the table of symbols. The atlas consists of engraved maps, manually decorated with watercolors. The 1745 Atlas of the Russian Empire was prepared by the famous cartographer De l'Isle and the mathematician Euler. In 1721 on the order of Peter I started a systematic exploration of Russian lands. The result of the 20-year-work of 30 cartographers was 19 maps which covered different regions of Russia.

“Russian Atlas” of 1792 includes the general map of the country and 44 maps of viceroyalties. It reflects the administrative division of the Russian Empire, introduced in accordance with the new “Order on governorates” of 1775, and shows new territories inherited by Russia in the Western Europe as well as openings in the Northern America.

“Runivers” website also provides “Historical, Chronological and Geographic Atlas of the Russian Empire, compiled by Ivan Akhmatov and based on the History of the Russian State by Karamzin” (1829-1831), whose maps span the history of Russia from ancient times to late 15th c.

“Detailed Atlas of the Russian Empire with plans of main towns”, which came out in 1876, includes geographical maps of Russian governorates, krais and oblasts with plans of governorates’ centers. Maps of the Atlas were for long time considered the most accurate and detailed maps of governorates of the Russian Empire.

Atlases are available in DjVu format, modern image compression technology, specially developed for storage and distribution of electronic facsimile editions. President of “Runivers” Mikhail Baranov stresses: “Pre-revolutionary atlases of the Russian Empire are priceless sources on the history of Russia. Maps show the change of the borders of our country from the ancient times to the beginning of the 20th c., as well as the administrative-territorial division of Russia. Old atlases enable us to look at Russia with eyes of our ancestors. We believe that free access to the cartographic sources will give a chance to our library’s users to better understand the Russian history”.