USSR

Н. В. Виноградов

This article describes a series of maps prepared for publication in the first volume of the Great Soviet World Atlas. It begins by extolling the virtues of logarithmic calculation using a reformed abacus, claiming it significantly reduces calculation time, lessens mental strain, and minimizes errors compared to paper-based methods. The author argues that once mastered, this technique becomes indispensable. The core principle involves isolating the positive and negative parts of a logarithm on the abacus to facilitate mathematical operations. The article then provides detailed descriptions of numerous maps. These include: a world map of major mineral resources (coal, oil, gold, etc.); physical-geographic maps of oceans (showing temperatures, currents, pressure, winds, salinity); a world geological map; a map showing the cartographic state of exploration; political maps of the world for 1783 and 1876; maps of the world oil and coal industry; maps for artificial silk, rubber, and chemical raw materials; a map of the world forestry and paper industry; maps of significant migration flows; and a map of volcanoes. The latter part of the article continues with descriptions of other maps: world maps for wool, silk, flax, jute, cotton, sugar, tea, coffee, and cocoa production and trade; maps for the ferrous and non-ferrous metals industries (aluminum, iron, copper, zinc, lead, tin, nickel); a zoogeographic map of the world; a map of mineral waters and muds in the USSR; a map of the Kara and Barents Seas; and finally, maps of world government forms. For each map, the article provides technical details such as scale, projection, symbology, data year, and content highlights.

Н. В. Виноградов

This article provides a detailed account of the maps published in the first volume of the Great Soviet World Atlas. It systematically describes each map, including the hemispheres, the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Atlantic Ocean, the world soil map, the world chemical industry map, the world machinery industry map, the relief and major river profiles of the USSR, the light and machine-building industries of the Asian part of the USSR, and the map of World War I (1914–1918). For each map, the article specifies its scale, projection, hypsometric and isobath systems, and the thematic content depicted, such as soil types, industrial centers, cargo flows, and military operations. The author emphasizes that these maps surpassed contemporary international standards in detail, thematic depth, and cartographic technique, showcasing the achievements of Soviet cartography.

George B. Cressey; V. E. Motylev

This review assesses the first volume of the Great Soviet World Atlas, published in 1937. Authorized by the Soviet government and directed by Dr. V. E. Motylev with a staff of 175 cartographers, the atlas aims to provide a comprehensive cartographic representation of the world's physical, economic, and social features. Volume I contains 168 plates covering world maps and maps of the USSR, employing diverse projections and up to twenty colors to depict industrial, agricultural, and resource data in exceptional detail. The atlas achieves top international standards in cartographic technique and data richness, though it has limitations such as Russian-only legends and missing graphic scales on some maps. Despite its high price, the atlas represents a major contribution to world geography, offering unprecedented material for Soviet geographical research.

В. Мотылев

This article reviews the significance of the first volume of the Great Soviet Atlas of the World, emphasizing that it reflects not only two decades of progress in Soviet geography and cartography but also advances in other scientific fields. It focuses on Lenin's directives in 1921 regarding the compilation of a Soviet geographic atlas, highlighting his insistence that the atlas fully represent the political-administrative divisions of the Soviet state, incorporate historical perspective, and broadly cover the era of imperialism, while also criticizing cartographic shortcomings. Special attention is given to Lenin's letter to M. Pavlovich, which proposed a series of imperialist maps—covering colonial possessions in 1876, 1914, and 1921, financial dependency, railway ownership by capital, and sources of raw materials—all organically linked to Lenin's theory of imperialism. The article concludes that Lenin's instructions provided the methodological foundation for the Soviet atlas.

F. D.

This Atlas is of interest to polar travellers since Soviet territory covers such a large section of the Arctic regions. We accordingly find that nearly every map of the territory goes well into the Arctic Circle. The two special pages of circumpolar maps are well printed and follow the usual convention for showing routes of expeditions. Insets on the Arctic sheet give a valuable map of Severnaya Zemlya with relief and soundings; there are also insets of parts of Novaya Zemlya, while weather charts and ice-drift charts complete the page.

jw.

This review examines the first volume of the Great Soviet World Atlas, published in Moscow in 1937. Initiated by the Central Executive Committee as a governmental publication, the atlas contains 119 maps covering global and Soviet territories, surpassing all contemporary major atlases in scale. The content prioritizes economic maps, including electrification, coal, metallurgy, chemical, textile, and other industrial distributions, alongside physical geography, climate, and geology. The reviewer notes a significant deficiency in population maps, with only one density and migration map and one schematic ethnic-religious map for the world, while the Soviet section entirely lacks demographic data, possibly reflecting official ideology. Despite this, most maps demonstrate originality and documentary value, particularly climatic and economic ones, and the atlas treats Poland with cartographic loyalty. Technically, world maps employ stereographic cylindrical and Goode's projections, while Soviet maps use conic projections; drawing and printing quality, though not reaching top European standards, adequately serve their purpose.

М. А. Сергеев

This article reviews the maps of the Soviet North included in Volume II of the Great Soviet Atlas. The author first analyzes the general maps of the USSR, the RSFSR, and the North's economy, noting their strengths in depicting administrative divisions, population density, and economic indicators, while also pointing out specific errors and omissions. The discussion then shifts to regional maps, which are praised for effectively illustrating the economic profiles, industrial structures, and key nodes of various administrative units. The article particularly commends the editorial use of inset maps to enhance clarity and readability. In conclusion, the author asserts that Volume II provides an accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive cartographic representation of Soviet economic development in the North, making it an invaluable resource for both educational and research purposes, a result of meticulous work with primary sources.

Проф. Б. Добрынин

This article reviews the publication of Volume II of the Great Soviet Atlas of the World (BSAM). The author regards this volume as a significant achievement of Soviet science and technology, particularly valuable for geographers and all specialists engaged in studying and rationally developing the vast territories of the USSR. The atlas incorporates the latest survey and research data, providing detailed and accurate representation of relief, hydrography, and economic features across the country, including regions previously poorly studied, such as Yakutia, the Far East, and the Far North. The author offers several suggestions for improvement: optimizing the hypsometric color scales on certain maps (e.g., the physical map of the Caucasus), correcting and supplementing mountain range labels, enhancing the legibility of some place names, and refining symbols for sands and lake depths. Despite these minor flaws, the author emphasizes that they do not diminish the atlas's high scientific, technical, and artistic value, and he warmly welcomes its publication as an essential aid for studying the territory of the socialist homeland.

This article reviews the publication and significance of the second volume of the Great Soviet World Atlas. The volume provides a detailed depiction of the physical and economic geography of all Soviet republics, krais, and oblasts, summarizing the achievements of socialist construction. The article highlights methodological breakthroughs, particularly in hypsometric mapping, and notes the first systematic compilation of comprehensive economic maps and maps of the Civil War history. It compares the publication with contemporary Western atlases, emphasizing the Soviet Union's leading position in scale, speed, and content richness. Innovations in printing technology are also discussed. The atlas's release is regarded as a major milestone in Soviet cartography, laying the groundwork for future national mapping efforts.

И. П. Субботин

This article reviews the extensive influence of the Great Soviet World Atlas (BSAM) on Soviet cartographic production. It points out that the atlas was not only a major cartographic achievement but that its results and methods were widely applied in the creation of various maps, including school atlases, educational maps, economic maps, administrative maps, encyclopedia illustrations, and thematic maps. The article cites numerous examples, such as historical, economic, and hypsometric maps compiled based on the atlas, and emphasizes its guiding role in methodology and cartographic standards for local cartographic work. It concludes that the atlas's editorial team implemented the party's directive on linking scientific institutions with production by rapidly transferring scientific achievements into practice.

The Great Soviet World Atlas, acclaimed by authorities as the finest atlas ever published, was planned in three volumes, with Volume I released and the rest delayed by war. It features rigorous scholarship, beautiful offset printing with multiple colors, and high production costs. Volume I covers the world and the Soviet Union, including thematic maps of soils, vegetation, trade, railways, population, and minerals, plus a revised climate map. Due to the Russian language barrier, Syracuse University translated all titles and legends into English in a 100-page book. The atlas and translation are accessible at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, with acquisition assistance available through the Secretary.

陳述彭; 侯學燾

This article systematically introduces the Soviet World Atlas, an unprecedentedly large and comprehensive geographical work. The atlas comprises three volumes: the first covers world and Soviet Union general maps, the second details Soviet republics, and the third covers global regions. The article outlines the contents of each volume, spanning physical, economic, and historical geography. It highlights four key features: reflecting the superiority of the socialist system, exposing the decadence of capitalism, applying a historical perspective, and emphasizing regional characteristics, alongside innovations in cartographic methods such as unified hypsometric layering and combined industrial representation. The compilation process is also examined, crediting Lenin's directives, state resolutions, and collective scientific effort for its success. The article aims to introduce this epoch-making atlas to Chinese readers and draw lessons from its advanced practices.

Ena L. Yonge

This article provides a comprehensive review of national atlases published worldwide up to the time of writing. It notes that since the Geographical Review first coined the term 'Age of National Atlases' in 1940, the surge of nationalism after World War II has greatly accelerated the production and scope of such atlases. The author surveys 26 published national atlases and 3 in preparation. The article first emphasizes that a national atlas aims to portray all aspects of a country—physical, economic, and social—and highlights a welcome trend: the inclusion of map titles, legends, and text summaries in English or French for atlases published in less familiar languages. The review is then organized by region. For Europe, it details atlases from Austria (Atlas von Niederösterreich), Belgium (Atlas de Belgique), France (revised Atlas de France), and Germany (Deutscher Planungsatlas, specifically Atlas von Berlin), among others, discussing their institutional backing, content structure, scales, cartographic techniques, and unique features, such as Berlin's depiction of wartime damage and postwar development, and Belgium's detailed demographic and agricultural maps. Atlases from Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, and Norway are also mentioned. For Africa, the planned Atlas du Maroc is described. For Oceania, the Atlas of Australian Resources is reviewed, highlighting its origin in post-war resource assessment, its effective use of a large scale, and its focus on water resources and population distribution. For North America, the article reports on the progress of a Canadian national atlas and the initiation of the National Atlas of the United States, a collaborative federal effort to compile standardized thematic maps from various government agencies. The article concludes that these national atlases represent significant achievements in geographic and cartographic scholarship, serving as invaluable resources for students, planners, and businesses.

W. Stams

This article reviews the newly published "Atlas of the USSR," compiled by the Main Administration of Geodesy and Cartography under the USSR Ministry of Geology and Mineral Protection, intended as a cartographic reference for a broad readership to study geography in depth. The atlas is divided into three parts: the first contains general geographic reference maps, including physical and economic maps, with detailed hypsometric layer tinting and depictions of hydrography, settlements, and transport networks; the second features thematic maps of natural conditions, covering geology, tectonics, geomorphology, climate, soils, and vegetation; the third comprises economic maps, including industry, agriculture, and regional economic complexes. The article analyzes the cartographic methods, content, and strengths and weaknesses of each section, noting that the atlas surpasses the teacher's atlas in content but lacks explanatory text and has limitations in some representational techniques. Overall, it is considered a new type of regional atlas, offering a valuable model for the German Democratic Republic in developing its own regional atlas.