The “Maps and Plans” collection of the Russian State Library is the largest within the country and the most representative in the world. The assemblage is universal in geographical coverage and thematic scope. It reflects the main stages of the development of national and world cartography. An electronic collection of maps and atlases was created with the aim of providing wide access to the best examples of cartographic art.

For now, the collection contains the following  documents:

• Unique national handwritten maps, atlases, facsimiles, and manuscript copies of early Russian drawings.
• Rare and valuable maps of the 18^th century, such as the first maps and atlases of the Russian State, guberniyas and uyezds, different regions of our vast country, and plans of cities and diverse settlements.
• Maps and atlases reflecting the achievements of Russian cartography of the 19^th century – works of military cartographers, boundary maps, first thematic maps, and atlases.
• Popular maps and atlases of the 19-20^th centuries, publications of state and private cartographic publishing houses.
• Clear and generously illustrated educational maps and atlases of the second half of 19 – early 20^th centuries.
• Top samples of national scientific cartography.