Russia俄罗斯

Curatorial Note

The Russian tradition of national atlases is rooted in the imperial and Soviet cartographic schools, which emphasized comprehensive, multi-volume reference works. This collection, spanning 2004 to 2011, represents a modern revival of that tradition, produced in the post-Soviet era to document the vast and diverse territory of the Russian Federation. The centerpiece is the four-volume *National Atlas of Russia*, a monumental project that systematically covers the country's physical geography, ecology, population, economy, history, and culture. Each volume is organized thematically, with the first focusing on general territorial characteristics, the second on nature and ecology, the third on population and economy, and the fourth on history and culture. The atlas employs a rigorous editorial structure, combining detailed maps, statistical data, and explanatory texts, reflecting a state-sponsored effort to create an authoritative national reference. These volumes, published between 2004 and 2011, stand as a landmark in Russian cartography, serving both as a scientific resource and a symbol of national identity. Their influence extends to subsequent regional and thematic atlases, and they remain a benchmark for comprehensive national mapping in the 21st century.