Experience of creating a series of local studies atlases of municipal districts of the Republic of Mari El

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-428-445

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Evgenii A. Goncharov

Volga State University of Technology,
3, Lenina sq., Yoshkar-Ola, 424000, Russia,
E-mail: goncharovea@volgatech.net

Maksim A. Anufriev

Volga State University of Technology,
3, Lenina sq., Yoshkar-Ola, 424000, Russia,
E-mail: anufrievma@volgatech.net

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the work in the field of local studies atlas mapping. For the first time in the Republic of Mari El, a concept for a local studies atlas of a municipal district, part of the “Discover Mari El Together” series, has been proposed, supplemented by the Internet version based on the atlas information system. Using pilot atlases of the Morkinsky and Gornomariysky (including the city of Kozmodemyansk) districts of the Republic of Mari El as examples, the article reveals the development algorithm, information sources, methodological approaches for visualizing complex local studies data, and a typical regional layout content. The atlas series includes 10 thematic sections (“General information about the district and city”, “Symbols of the district and city”, “Geographical location and administrative structure”, “Natural conditions and resources”, “History of territorial development”, “Famous compatriots”, “Population”, “Social sphere”, “Economy”, “Tourism and tourist attractions”), comprising 20 thematic maps, additional illustrative material (tables, graphs, relief profiles, climatograms, compact photographs, fragments of historical maps, QR codes for the Internet version and external resources), as well as “Contents”, “Legend”, and “Information Sources” blocks. Sources for creating thematic maps and informational articles included literary, cartographic, and statistical data, materials from regional and municipal executive authorities, territorial planning documents, satellite imagery, and geoinformation data from open sources, as well as information from residents of settlements, cultural institution staff, and settlement administrations, collected during expeditions. Electronic versions of the pilot print editions and their extended Internet versions are freely available. The publications are intended for residents and guests of the Republic of Mari El who are interested in the nature, history, culture, and economy of the region, they can also be useful in addressing territorial planning tasks, protecting natural and cultural heritage, developing domestic tourism, and local studies research. The proposed concept for a local studies atlas of a municipal district can be implemented for territories of a corresponding hierarchical level in other regions.

Keywords

atlas, local studies, municipality, Republic of Mari El

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For citation: Goncharov E.A., Anufriev M.A. Experience of creating a series of local studies atlases of municipal districts of the Republic of Mari El. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 3. P. 428–445. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-428-445 (in Russian)