Maps of Baykal Compiled by Geodesist Moisey Ushakov

Abstract

This paper seeks to shed light on early 18th century cartographic knowledge of Lake Baykal by examining historical evidence involving criticism of a map of Lake Baykal (the Ushakov map) that appeared in 1740. At the time, this map was believed to have been largely copied from a preexisting map, copies of which are no longer available today. However, the present paper demonstrates that the map supplemented and improved the geographic knowledge of that period for areas lying alongside the Angara, upper Lena, and in Cis- and near-Transbaykalia during the first half of the 18th century. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, Virginia, from Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 2001, No. 4, pp. 126-131.