CENTRAL ASIA: ARAB AND RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH

Central Asia is one of the few territories about which geographical and cartographic materials have been preserved in various countries of the world. This makes it possible to trace the history of the creation of the map of this territory over a long period of time. One of the interesting pages in the history of geographical studies of Central Asia are the outstanding works of Arab and Central Asian scientists of the 9th-14th centuries (al-Biruni, al-Khwarizmi). The studies of these scientists have been preserved in the form of maps, which looked like drawings filled with figures denoting geographical objects. The main attention in the article is paid to Russian travelers, topographers, who played an important role in the study of Central Asia. The historical attention of the Russian Empire to Central Asia was due to its strategic position and crucial role in geopolitics. Since the beginning of the XVI century, when the Russian state began to expand to the East, Central Asia has become an important region for expanding imperial borders. Geographical research and mapping has become an indispensable tool for both scientific research and administrators involved in the development of imperial policies in the region. These studies were not only academic, but also practical in nature, providing the Russian authorities with accurate data on the landscape, natural resources and ethnic composition of the population. Russian administrators, such as governors-general and military leaders, actively used this data to create effective political strategies for the management and development of the steppe. Maps created during numerous expeditions played an important role in the planning of military and diplomatic actions, as well as in administrative reforms aimed at strengthening Russian influence in Central Asia. The article is devoted to the analysis of the role of geographical research in the formation of the policy of the Russian Empire in Central Asia in the XIX century. The focus is on how the created maps and the geographic data collected were used for Strategic Planning, Administrative administration, and diplomatic relations with local elites. Special attention is paid to the activities of Governor-General Pyotr Kaptsevich, whose policy of peaceful annexation of Kazakh lands is based on detailed geographical data and thereby allowed to strengthen Russia's influence in the region.