title: EARLY STAGES OF TOPOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF THE TERRITORIES OF CRIMEA AND THE BLACK SEA COAST OF THE CAUCASUS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS)
abstract: Proper topographic study of Crimea started not earlier than in the late 18th century when, after the incorporation of the peninsula into the Russian Empire, first rather detailed maps of this area were compiled by both military and civil agencies. Crucial breakthrough in topographic knowledge on Crimea occured from 1886 to 1911 as a result of its 1:21 000 survey representing relief features with contours. In comparison with other northern Black Sea regions, topographic studies of today’s Krasnod