Geographical atlases of the transcaucasian republics

Summary

This paper presents a comparative overview of the national atlases of the Armenian, Azerbaijan, and Georgian Soviet Socialist Republics, published in the early 1960s. The atlases were issued in large print runs in both the national languages and Russian. The physical dimensions and shapes of the republics determined the principal map scales: 1:1,000,000 and 1:1,500,000 for Armenia, and 1:1,500,000 and 1:2,500,000 for Azerbaijan and Georgia. These factors also influenced the binding formats – an album-type for Armenia and book-type for the others. While the thematic content generally follows the recommendations of the 1960 publication *Atlas nationaux*, each atlas incorporates additional maps that reflect the specific natural and socio-economic features of the respective republic. A quantitative breakdown of map sections is provided: Armenia contains 143 maps (introductory 2, natural conditions 74, population 6, national economy 45, cultural/public health 6, historical 10); Azerbaijan contains 177 maps (introductory 6, natural conditions 87, population 2, national economy 66, cultural 7, historical 9); Georgia contains 168 maps (introductory 3, natural conditions 95, population 9, national economy 39, cultural 12, historical 10). Percentages relative to total map volume show a clear emphasis on natural conditions maps across all three atlases (approx. 49–57%). In addition to their scientific and reference value, the atlases possess distinct practical utility and include explanatory texts for each map section. Their compilation marks a definitive stage in the geographical study of the Transcaucasian republics and establishes a foundation for producing a general Transcaucasia Atlas, and subsequently a comprehensive Atlas of the Caucasus.