Imperiia: a spatial history of the Russian EmpireMain MenuAboutProjectsDashboardsData CatalogMapStoriesGalleriesGamesWho said history was boring?Teach Our ContentCiting the ProjectKelly O'Neilldc20b45f1d74122ba0d654d19961d826c5a557f5The Imperiia Project // Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University
volcanoes
12020-09-15T00:02:05-04:00Kelly O'Neilldc20b45f1d74122ba0d654d19961d826c5a557f591detail of playing card for Chukotkaplain2020-09-15T00:02:05-04:00Kelly O'Neilldc20b45f1d74122ba0d654d19961d826c5a557f5
Volcanoes might not be what you think of first when you think of Russian geography. Then again, it all depends on your perspective. On where you are. On where your definition of "Russia" begins.
Try reimagining Russian geography: instead of starting with Moscow and its fields and forests, place your mind's eye on the frigid coast of the North Pacific. Place yourself in Kamchatka (and if you need help with that, try exploring this set of 12 maps). Try thinking of Russia as a volcanic territory. The playground of arctic foxes and reindeer, shaped by ice flows and lava and tremors. Then, and only then, start moving westward.
