Baikal World - map of Baikal lake and Baikal region
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Explanation of the local terms and geographical names at lake Baikal
First Maps of Baikal Lake

The Russian explorers were accurate at making up the "skaski", the first descriptions of a new place. These data had served as invaluable material for the initial Russian and European investigations of Siberia.

The Russian pioneers' service is even the more remarkable, as not so many of them were among the literate part of the population.

Innumerable "otpiski" (replies, reports), "skaski" (the first description of a new place) and "chertezhi" (drafts) of the Russian explorers were detailed and priceless since at that time there was only limited information on the main Siberian rivers, mountain ranges and previously unknown people inhabiting this area, on peculiarities of nature and never heard of before riches of the lands.


Irkutsk and Baikal region. The map (drawing) was compiled by Semen Remezov in 1701


The first drafts brought by the explorers from their expeditions did not meet the standards of European cartography. However, they fully satisfied the practical goals that were planned for the exploration of Siberia in the XVII th century, moreover, these maps were made thoroughly and conscientiously.

If not for the job done by the Russian explorers in the XVII-th century there would not have been those remarkable results of the Great North Expedition in the 18th century, as the knowledge gained by the explorers became fundamental for the subsequent investigation of Siberia.

»  click here to see the modern map of lake Baikal (115 Kb / scale: 1:750000)
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