National atlases: current state of the problem, scientific tasks, and Moscow University's participation in their solution

Summary

This article examines the important issue of national atlases in modern geography, reviews their historical development, analyzes the current state of the problem, and elaborates on the role and participation of Moscow University in solving related scientific tasks. The article points out that national atlases, as comprehensive geographical atlases, are of great significance for the rational use of natural resources and economic development. The International Geographical Union established the Commission on National Atlases in 1956, chaired by a Soviet scholar, making the Faculty of Geography at Moscow University the center of international cooperation. The article systematically traces the development of atlases from Ptolemy's era to the 20th century, emphasizing the value of comprehensive atlases in scientific research and practical application. Currently, the main problems facing national atlases include: inconsistencies in map projections and scales, differences in legend systems, varying content detail, and uneven printing quality. To address these, the Commission has proposed tasks such as systematically analyzing existing atlases, establishing unified standards, recommending universal legends, and improving production methods. The article particularly notes that national atlases and atlases of Soviet republics and regions share consistency in scale ranges, generalization principles, and legend systems, and their research can be mutually reinforcing. The Faculty of Geography at Moscow University will organize international meetings to coordinate research efforts and summarize achievements, contributing to enhancing the scientific level of national atlases.