The leather-bound book "The Great Russian Travelers"

The names of famous Russian travelers and discoverers Afanasy Nikitin, Fedot Kotov, Semyon Dezhnev, Yerofey Khabarov, Vladimir Atlasov, Vitus Bering, Gabriel Sarychev, Ivan Kruzenshtern, Vasily Golovnin, Fedor Bellingshausen, Mikhail Lazarev, Nikolai Miklukho-Maklay and many others are inscribed in golden letters in the world chronicle of great geographical discoveries. The first Russian travelers either made pilgrimages to holy places, or went on "walks" on trade business. Russian Russian explorers gradually began to add geopolitical goals to religious and commercial interests: in the XVI-XVII centuries, Russian explorers rushed into the distance, and above all beyond the Urals, who accomplished the impossible: almost at random, in small detachments, without guaranteed chances of success, they discovered new lands, mapped them and founded Russian settlements and prisons there. A century later, the government began to equip expeditions, which already included scientists, naturalists and geographers: the reconnaissance was followed by a systematic scientific study and description of the animal and plant world, natural resources, unknown peoples, unfamiliar peoples, cultures and civilizations. Through the efforts of these brave heroes, the Russian Empire expanded, grew in lands and gained power. Thus, in the first half of the 19th century, more Russian research expeditions were equipped than France and Great Britain combined. At the same time, almost every expedition was accompanied by unique discoveries on a global scale. This book is a fascinating, lively, richly illustrated guide to the history of the great geographical discoveries made by our glorious compatriots, our tribute to their unparalleled feat.