1992 Mapa Ltd. Map of Ukraine - the First Map of Modern, Independent Ukraine

A rare and remarkable work, this is the first map of modern, independent Ukraine printed after the breakup of the Soviet Union. It was prepared by Rostyslav Sossa and published in 1992 by Mapa Ltd., a recently-founded private enterprise.

A Closer Look

Rich in both information and symbolism, this map covers the entirety of the independent Ukrainian state, which officially broke from the Soviet Union in late 1991. As indicated in the legend at bottom-right, cities of various sizes and administrative designations, borders between countries and oblasts, roads, railways, canals, and waterways are illustrated. Tables at bottom-left provide information about the country, with the size and population of oblasts (and semi-autonomous Crimea) and large cities listed.

Just as important as the geographic information is the symbolic content. The title cartouche at top-right, decorative border, and the flag and coat-of-arms (approved as symbols of the new state only months before publication) at top-left all reinforce the uniqueness of Ukrainian identity and the reality of Ukrainian independence. Similarly, Ukrainian placenames are employed (Київ not Киев, Харків not Харьков, and so on), overturning several decades of Russification policies. Notably, Crimea is included as part of the Ukrainian state though its status was hotly disputed at the time and it operated a self-declared independent government.

Historical Context

Due to the traumatic historical experience of the Stalin era as well as hardline policies, including Russification policies, and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, dissatisfaction with the Soviet Union was high within the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic by the late 1980s. Perestroika and glasnost were introduced late in Ukraine, but the latter did allow some open discussion and criticism of historical and contemporary policies. Expressions of distinct Ukrainian identity, including religious identity, emerged from the shadows and flourished. More moderate leaders rose to the head of the SSR's Supreme Soviet and semi-free elections in 1990 indicated a desire for more autonomy. In the wake of the failed August 1991 coup against Gorbachev, independence was declared by the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR on August 24. A referendum overwhelmingly confirmed that declaration on December 1, and a week later the Belovezha Accords were signed, effectively ending the Soviet Union.

Publication History and Census

This map was prepared by Rostyslav Sossa and published by Mapa Ltd. in 1992. It was the first general map of independent Ukraine published after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As such a significant map, it was in high demand and the initial run of 50,000 copies was expanded with subsequent editions (including one in English), which were published throughout the 1990s. This first edition is quite rare: the OCLC combines listings for the 1992 and 1993 editions, but the 1992 edition only appears to be held by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (American Geographical Society Library), Stanford, and Yale.