The great Soviet world atlas

Summary

This article provides a critical review of the Great Soviet World Atlas, published in 1937 by the Institute of the Great Soviet World Atlas in Moscow. The atlas aimed to surpass all existing world atlases in scope, format, and scientific content. The review highlights that, despite its ambitious goals, the atlas suffers from significant scientific deficiencies. Physical geography maps offer some value for orientation but are unreliable in detail, while economic maps are dominated by propagandistic purposes, relying on unreliable official statistics and plan figures rather than accurate data. The population density map is criticized for exaggeration, and the maps are further compromised by censorship and inconsistent editorial standards. Overall, the atlas is seen as a propaganda tool, with its colorful presentation masking a lack of scientific rigor, reflecting broader issues in Soviet academic practices.