Program and subject matter of maps in the great Soviet universal atlas

Summary

This article provides a detailed account of the background, content structure, and scientific significance of the Great Soviet World Atlas. Initiated by a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on December 17, 1933, the atlas aimed to produce a comprehensive work covering physical, economic, and political geography, comprising 150 double-page maps (each 43 x 53 cm) with an equal number of supplementary maps on the reverse, scheduled for completion within three years. The article reviews the development of Soviet cartography, highlighting progress in specialized maps (e.g., geological, geomorphological, geochemical, geobotanical, climatic) and economic maps, as well as general maps (e.g., 1:1,000,000 international topographic sheets, 1:5,000,000 maps of the entire USSR). Lenin's early directives laid the ideological foundation, emphasizing the integration of physical, economic, and political geography with a historical perspective, particularly on imperialism. The atlas is structured into three sections: world maps, USSR maps, and foreign country maps, with the USSR section occupying 66 double pages and capitalist countries 67, reflecting the atlas's focus on the Soviet Union as a representative of the socialist system. The article details the design of economic maps, including methods for representing industry, agriculture, energy, and transport, using symbols to avoid overcrowding while ensuring historical comparisons (e.g., pre-revolutionary vs. contemporary). Finally, it outlines the compilation plan, noting the atlas's complexity compared to capitalist counterparts, requiring meticulous organization. Overall, the atlas aims to provide a comprehensive geographical description of the world and the USSR, reflecting the interplay between social and geographical conditions and showcasing socialist achievements.