La Moscovie septentrionale, la Moscovie meridionale

Title

La Moscovie septentrionale, la Moscovie meridionale

Description

Map shows on two separate maps the west and middle part of Russia with Moscow

ca. 1730

Artist

Aa, van der (1659-1733)

Pieter van der Aa ( 1659 - 1733) was a Dutch publisher best known for preparing maps and atlases, though he also printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated volumes. He also printed many maps that were often out of print, which he reissued. Some of his most popular maps were of the African continent, detailing locations such as Morocco and Madagascar. Many of his later works were printed for the general public in French and Dutch. Pieter van der Aa began his career at Leiden in 1683 as a Latin trade publisher, publishing classical texts pertaining to medicine and science. As he progressed, he began to publish atlases and maps, compiling numerous multi-volume collections of works. His ambition to become Leiden's most famous printer was fulfilled in 1715 with his appointment to head printer for the city and its university. One of Pieter van der Aa's largest compilations relates to the history of Italy and Sicily, an area of immense personal interest. Though he took credit for many of his compilations, several, such as the Dutch collection of travels to the East and West Indies, were admittedly simple improvements to others' works.

Historical Description

The region lies in the fertile basin of the Volga, Oka, Kljasma and Moskva rivers. In the north and west of the oblast lies the Moscow Ridge, which reaches up to 310 m in height with the Klin-Dmitrov Ridge. To the east and southeast is the Meshchora lowland. In the southwest lies the Central Russian Plate. In the middle of the 12th century, the territory of today's Moscow Oblast was annexed to the Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal. At the same time, cities such as Volokolamsk, Moscow, Svenigorod, Dmitrov were founded. From 1708, the area belonged to the Moscow governorate founded by Peter I. From the 18th to the 19th century, light industry, especially the textile industry, experienced a boom. Its important centres were Bogorodsk, Pavlovsky Possad and Orechovo-Suyevo. In 1851, the first railway line was laid on the territory of the Moscow governorate, connecting Moscow with St. Petersburg. Several times, new oblasts were formed from parts of the Moscow Oblast: Kalinin Oblast in 1935, Ryazan Oblast and Tula Oblast in 1937, Kaluga Oblast in 1944 and Vladimir Oblast in 1944.