Much U.S.-based cartographic design represents the Soviet Union through blocky, masculinist, and militaristic red-and-black iconography. Moreover, most U.S. analyses of Soviet cartography focus exclusively on Soviet military mapmaking, relying on fetishizing rhetoric. Nevertheless, Soviet cartography also featured breathtaking geological and land cover maps. These were characterized by intricate textures, rich earth tones and pastels.
Based on the aesthetics of Soviet geological maps, this web map design highlights geological and natural features. In addition to designating variations in land cover, it also identifies features related to the natural world – from caves, faultlines, volcanos, mountains, cold and hot springs to campgrounds and archaeological sites.
