Russie Europeenne et Asiatique

A detailed overview of Russia, issued shortly after the Crimean War.

This finely engraved map shows the transcontinental Russian Empire under Alexander II in the middle of the 19th century. Green tinting outlines the massive territory, stretching from Poland to the Kamchatka Peninsula, and from the Arctic Ocean to the Balkans and the steppes of Central Asia. Various principalities, gubernias, and kingdoms are boldly labeled, with more subtle toponyms identifying a fascinating variety of commercial centers, military outposts, geographic features, ecclesiastical facilities, and more. A rather sparse road network is depicted with fine lines – these important thoroughfares included the Siberian Route and portions of the historic Silk Road.

While Russia’s imperial ambitions on the Black Sea had been recently thwarted in the Crimean War, it retained expansionist policies under Emperor Alexander II. Significant gains were obtained in Manchuria via the 1858 Treaty of Aigun, as the Qing Dynasty was losing the Opium War. The ‘Territory of Kirghiz’ (modern-day Kazakhstan) was under Russian authority, while the independent khanates of Turkestan would fall in the next two decades. Even further south, elements of the ‘Great Game’ with Britain were taking shape – the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and Anglo-Persian War both had significant geopolitical ramifications for the region.

The map was designed by A.H. Dufour and engraved by Charles Dyonnet. Published in Paris in 1858 by Pualin & Le Chevalier as part of the Atlas Universel.