Peoples of Russia: Ethnographic maps, atlases and books presented at the exhibition of the Russian State Library in Moscow

On July 5, 2021, the Cartographic Department of the Russian State Library (Moscow) will launch the exhibition "Peoples of Russia: Ethnographic Maps". The exposition features maps, atlases and books of the Russian State Library's collections from the XVII century to the present day.

The Cartographic Department keeps an astonishing collection of ethnographic maps and atlases, revealing the successes of Russian science in the study and mapping of the country's population.

Russia has always been a multinational state: peoples of many nationalities have been living on its vast territory since ancient times. The study of the country's ethnic composition was of great interest to Russian science. Therefore, Russia developed ethnography as an independent scientific direction.

The maps show the areas of preferential settlement not only of Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians but also the ingenious peoples of the North, Asian Russia and Siberia.

The exposition also showcases illustrations from the book From Tobolsk to Obdorsk by Mikhail Znamensky and miniature Geographical Maps of Russia made as playing cards with images of the peoples of Russia in national clothes.

The exhibition also features contemporary ethnographic atlases and maps. It is possible not only to see but also to listen to the exhibits. An audio guide provides the exploration of the audio map Peoples of the Russian Empire, USSR, Russian Federation.