Administrative-territorial Division Research Articles

Land Ownership of Territorial Communities

Taking into account the ongoing democratic transformations in our country, the decentralization reform deserves special attention, which is aimed at ensuring broad independence of territorial communities in solving their own socio-economic problems of a particular region. One of the key issues of such a reform is the formation of capable administrative-territorial units, endowed with full power not only in terms of administrative management but as full owners of the relevant resource base grounded on land. Unfortunately, the transformations carried out in Ukraine through privatization in general and privatization of land and legislative consolidation of new forms of land ownership have led to uncertainty about the object composition of communal land ownership, failed to ensure social harmony, creating crisis phenomena of demographic and socio-economic nature, especially in rural areas. As a result, the legal model of state regulation of land relations remains incomplete, in which the balance of private and public interests in land use within territorial communities would be ensured by law, which determined the content of the study. The work analyses the theoretical and normative principles of land ownership, in particular, the conclusion that the form of land ownership due to its functional purpose and special subject-object composition, determines the mechanism of formation and termination of ownership. Scientific conclusions and recommendations are formulated, on which it is expedient to build a modern state policy on the formation and establishment in society of the concept of communal ownership of land as a basis for the effective development of territorial communities. According to the results of the study, the need to change the administrative-territorial division by regulating the community at the constitutional level as the primary administrative-territorial unit, which is the basis for the formation of communal land ownership. Amendments to the Land Code of Ukraine are proposed in order to determine the right of communal ownership of land within territorial communities.

FORMATION OF A NEW SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL DIVISION IN KASSR IN THE 1928-1930s (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE NORTHERN REGION)

The paper discusses the issues related to identifying changes in the administrative-territorial division of Kazakhstan in the late 1920-1930s of the 20th century. The objectives of the Soviet state building required the demolition of the former tsarist system of government and the creation of a new structure of the administrative-territorial structure. It is noted that the new management system was more effective and pragmatic than the previous one and more specifically took into account the peculiarities of the economic and geographical nature and composition of the population. It is especially emphasized that the meaning of the reforms was, first of all, in carrying out economic zoning for the allocation of economic zones with different specialization. These reforms in Kazakhstan began later than in the central regions and were carried out on the basis of a special plan approved by the Soviet government. Akmola province was one of the largest territorial formations on the territory of the Kazakh Territory, in connection with which the implementation of the administrative-territorial reorganization in it was of key importance. That is why the northern region was chosen as an example in this paper

Bureaucracy as a factor in the functioning of the regional elite: challenges of civic and political representation

The article considers the dependence of political representation at the regional level on the specific configuration of the national political and legal field. The full value and normativeness of public representation are substantiated, as well as the contradictions of the interests of regional political elites and bureaucratic power practices are outlined.The purpose of this article is to clarify the importance of bureaucracy as a factor in the functioning of the regional elite against the background of the challenges of socio-political representation.Research methods. A descriptive method was used to describe the implementation of autonomous government by citizens and to resolve their issues based on the activities of local governments; the method of comparison is used to reflect the composition of regional political elites of European countries and the specifics of the mechanisms of representation at the parliamentary local and regional levels; a method of generalization to demonstrate challenges for elites in the sense of an adequate understanding of their importance and role in political processes at the national and international levels.Results. The assessment of the distribution of powers and the tendencies of influencing the situation in regional communities and territorial units are characteristic only for the countries that are going through a period of democratic transformations and for sustainable democracies. It has been proven that if the bureaucracy is the main actor in the implementation of technical management decisions, the elites can only be coordinators in setting priorities and differences on certain aspects of decision-making at the macro level. Emphasis is placed on the implementation of democratic reform programs, which provide for the representation of the people at all levels of administrative-territorial division. The properties of the elites elected by the citizens, which act only as a temporary component of the general system of decision-making and their implementation, are revealed. It is not possible to represent all, without exception, local communities at the regional level, due to the diversity of their economic and socio-infrastructural potential. An interpretation of the essence of the mechanisms of real democratic political leadership is proposed, which would ensure the support of the population of regional elites as factors of real representation of communities.

Tax aspects of the Eurasian economic integration

A general trend in the development of the tax policy of the EAEU countries has been the implementation of measures aimed at reducing the tax burden for small and medium-sized businesses. But the harmonization processes cannot proceed at a fast pace due to the existing features of the tax systems of countries seeking to unite. These are, first of all, differences in the tax laws of the Member States of the Union, and secondly, macroeconomic indicators differ quite strongly. The article analyzes the income, expenses and surplus (deficit) of the republican budget of the EAEU member countries and identifies their main differences. The study revealed that the EAEU countries have different approaches to administrative-territorial division and have different tax rates. In addition to the above, the tax systems of the EAEU countries differ in their approaches to direct and indirect taxation, and the composition of taxes collected differs. Much attention is paid in the article to the rapid development of information and communication technologies (hereinafter – ICT) and, in connection with this, the emerging need for the transformation of taxation in the digital economy. The main problems in the taxation of electronic commerce are identified and the need for the development of new technologies to identify transactions in cyberspace is substantiated. The author notes that the imperfection of the tax legislation of the EAEU member states in terms of regulating the taxation of e-commerce is also a significant obstacle in this area. In conclusion, the article provides an overview of measures aimed at resolving issues related to improving the efficiency of e-commerce administration. Issues related to setting a minimum cost threshold are subject to resolution, the procedure for administering VAT for transactions in B2B and B2C formats needs to be improved, and much more. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that the fiscal effect should be higher than the cost of administering this process.

FORMATION OF NATIONAL AUTONOMIES IN THE RSFSR IN EARLY 1920s: PROBLEMS AND CONTRADICTIONS (on the example of creating the Mordovian Autonomous Region)

At the initial stage of the reforms in the administrative-territorial division in the conditions of the Civil War, the process of federalization hardly met any resistance from the center. By the beginning of 1921 the RSFSR included as its parts the Tatar, Kirghiz, Bashkir, Dagestan, Gorsk Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republics, autonomous regions of the Kalmyk, Mari and Chuvash peoples and Labour communes of the Germans in the Volga region and the Karelians. By 1922 21 associations were already established. It was not possible to form the Mordovian autonomous administrative-territorial unit. Strengthening greater concentration of power, lack of territory with compact residence of the Mordovian population, unformed national elite, corporate interests of provincial authorities representatives served as constraining factors in the struggle for autonomy.

Optimal Spatial Organisation of the Regional Economy: Search for Parameters and Dependencies

The framework guiding the spatial development of the Russian Federation is widely discussed. However, the characteristics of an optimally organised space are yet to be defined. This research focuses on one of the aspects of this problem, aiming to identify the characteristics of the optimal spatial organisation of the regional economy depending on the degree of homogeneity of socio-economic space. We examined four Russian regions comparable in area and administrative-territorial division, but differing in economic activity (Krasnodar Krai, the Republic of Tatarstan, Chelyabinsk Oblast and Kemerovo Oblast). For that purpose, we applied spatial analysis methods: spatial autocorrelation, cartographic analysis. The examined regions are characterised by varying degrees of spatial heterogeneity. It is most significant in the Chelyabinsk Oblast, where 46% of the population lives in the territory of two municipalities that produce 73 % of the regional products. The territories of Chelyabinsk Oblast differ the most in terms of output (R/P is 994.65). The degree of heterogeneity is also high in the Republic of Tatarstan, characterised by the differentiation of municipalities in terms of inhabitants (the maximum R/P is 42.09) and fragmentation of space (the global Moran’s index for the considered parameters is less than its expected value). Krasnodar Krai is the most homogeneous (the production R/P is 131.57, the settlement R/P is 14.52) and integrated territory (spatial autocorrelation is positive). Simultaneously, there is no clear relationship between the degree of spatial homogeneity and the efficiency of economic activity in the regions in the short term. The results show that it is impossible to use a single unified model for the development of various territories. Thus, it is necessary to apply a differentiated approach when determining spatial development guidelines. The obtained results can be used by public authorities in the field of spatial development management. Moreover, they can be used for further research of other parameters of spatial organisation that are not related to its homogeneity.

NKVD AUTHORITIES AS A TOOL OF STALIN՚S REPRESSION IN THE WESTERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE (September-December 1939)

Summary. The article analyzes activities of the Soviet state security bodies in the western regions of Ukraine in September-December 1939. The area covers Western Volyn and Eastern Halychyna, according to Soviet administrative-territorial division introduced by the USSR Supreme Council (Verhovna Rada) Presidium decree of December 4, 1939 – Volyn, Drohobych, Lviv, Rovno, Ternopil and Stanislav regions of the Ukrainian SSR. The purpose of the work is to find out the role of NKVD in Stalin՚s political repression system. Methodology: the article is based on totalitarianism theory and on the principles founded by Carl Joachim Friedrich, using traditional scientific and special historical methods. The scientific novelty of the article is the use of original documents and materials from the Central State Archives of the Russian Federation and the State Archive of Security Service of Ukraine. Conclusions. Soviet totalitarian system in the western regions of Ukraine was accompanied by the formation of a repressive apparatus, which ensured the strict implementation of the political will of the Bolshevik Party being its reliable and ruthless body. The foundation of internal affairs authorities was made by operative-Chekist groups which entered western Ukraine along with the advanced units of the Red Army and performed special political tasks, carried out "cleansing" of occupied lands from "class-hostile elements". Those groups relied on workers guard local units and village armed groups, which included primarily the poor, who were supportive of the Soviets. In October 1939, a wider network of mobile groups was created, which covered the region՚s main cities. After western Ukraine had formally joined the USSR, an integral system of internal affairs was created together with a powerful apparatus for punishment and repressions.

Бассейновый принцип административно-территориального деления как альтернатива современному расселению этнических групп населения Кабардино-Балкарии

Discussed is the problem of complex (historical-demographical, ecological-geographical and economical) administrative-territorial division (ATD) of one of national republics of the North Caucasus, i.e. Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR), based on a comprehensive approach. Data on population censuses of different years, scientific works on discussed topic and the authors own materials on geo-ecology and demography of KBR were used. The archaic character of ATD of the region according to ethnopolitical principle is shown, and it is argued, that such a division of the republic’s territory is a legacy of Russia's colonial policy in the North Caucasus in the 19th century, and the command and administrative system of the Soviet period in the 20th century. Based on historical information, sources of dismemberment of the predecessor of the KBR, i.e. Kabarda (the name up to 1922) on ethno-political principle as one of the tools for solving the militarystrategic task of weakening and “appeasing” are highlighted. Rejection and occupation by Russian colonists of the plain part of Kabarda and redistribution by colonial administration of remaining territory between two indigenous ethnic groups (Kabardins and Balkars) with infringement of one side and encouragement of other created a “three-story” contradictory structure: one on the plain, others on the foothills, others on the foothills in the mountains. Such a division was finally established as a result of administrative-territorial reform of the 1920s and continues to form the formal basis of ATD of KBR. This fact, as well as consolidation of artificial division of Kabarda in the double name of the republic (Kabardino-Balkaria) periodically becomes occasion for demonstration of ostentatious separatist sentiments. Results of this study indicate, that by the end of the 20th century, due to redistribution of population and integration processes, the ethnic map of KBR came into conflict with the ATD on ethno-political basis. With this in mind, a new version of ATD of KBR, based on basin principle is proposed and justified, removing interethnic contradictions, generated by previous division and guaranteeing sustainable development of the republic. Relevance of the study is in the imperfection of ATD of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, as the cause of interethnic contradictions has not yet become the subject of a special study. Thus, adoption of the basin principle as the basis of the ATD with establishment of 5th districts instead of the current 10th would remove problems, created by ethno-political division and contribute to sustainable development and preservation of unique nature of one of mountain resorts of the country.

HISTORY OF CREATION SOVIET OF KARAKALPAK STATEHOOD

The purpose of the research is to reveal the features of the creation of the Soviet Karakalpak state. The article considers the processes of formation of the Karakalpak Autonomous region and its subsequent transformation from an independent region to an independent Republic. The conditions for administrative division in the Soviet state are shown. The article focuses on the fact that the entry of Karakalpakstan directly into Russia in the mid-1930s accelerated the process of transformation of Karakalpakstan from an independent region to an independent Republic. It is also noted that one of the reasons for joining Karakalpakstan to Russia and after its transformation into a political autonomy was the popular uprisings and rallies that took place in 1929-1930 in Karakalpakstan, directed against the Soviet government. The scientific novelty of the work is that based on the identified new archival documents, it is determined that the level of economic, political and cultural development of Karakalpakstan allowed it to obtain political autonomy. As a result of this research, the stages that the Karakalpak people went through during the existence of the Soviet-type state are analyzed in detail. KEYWORDS: the Soviet government, the state, the administrative-territorial division, national division, Karakalpakstan, an Autonomous region, the transformation.

Mari of Bashkortostan in 1970-2010: Demographic and Linguistic Aspects of Ethnic Development

The issues of ethnodemographic and ethnolinguistic development of the Mari population in Bashkortostan are considered. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of the ethno-demographic situation in the regions of the country with a significant number of the Mari ethnic group. The results of a comparative analysis of the natural reproduction of the Mari in comparison with other ethnic groups in the republic are presented. The question is raised about the ethnolinguistic identity of the Mari population, which, according to census data, is losing its national language. The novelty of the study is seen in the fact that for the first time an analysis of the demographic and linguistic aspects of the development of the Mari population in the regions of the Ural-Volga region was carried out. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the issue of demographic development of the peoples of Russia at the present stage is becoming not only a social, but also a political and strategic problem. The authors elaborate on the results of interethnic interaction of the Maris in the zone of ethnocultural contacts. It is proved that, despite the high birth rate, the demographic development of the Maris has a negative balance. A review of the ethno-linguistic development of the Mari population is carried out taking into account the administrative-territorial division. It is concluded that the emerging trend of urbanization of the Mari negatively affects the preservation of the native Mari language.

ИСТОРИКО-ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИЙ АНАЛИЗ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ СИСТЕМЫ СЕЛЬСКОГО РАССЕЛЕНИЯ БЕЛАРУСИ

Modern socio-economic conditions require a new approach to the study of settlement systems. Historical and genetic analysis is one of the most effective methods used in urban planning and allows to represent rural settlement system as a set of formed elements with their own borders (historical, natural, etc.). The main stages of historical and genetic analysis include research object selection, initial data collection; analyzing the dynamics of quantitative and qualitative indicators; cartographic modeling; characterizing the settlement system interrelations; general assessment of settlement system changes. The manuscript contains research results in studying the formation features of rural settlement system in terms of Mogilev region (Republic of Belarus). The history of forming the modern rural settlement system in Belarus includes three periods: pre-revolutionary, Soviet and modern, when the most active transformation of rural settlement system took place. For each period, a retrospective analysis of the administrative-territorial division, spatial-territorial organization, and typology of rural localities is conducted. As a research result, the model of the reorganization of Belarus administrative-territorial system in the XX – early XXI centuries and the historical and genetic model of rural localities typology in Belarus are obtained. The Soviet period contributed to urbanization, rural population reduction and rural settlements reduction. The modern period is characterized by rural settlement stabilization.

Armenian Population Numbers in the Sandjak of Sghert in the Bitlis Vilayet of Western Armenia on the Eve of the Armenian Genocide

The article attempts to enumerate of the Armenian population of the Sanjak of Sghert in the Bitlis vilayet of Western Armenia on the eve of the Armenian Genocide. For this purpose 1) a general overview of the history of the administrative-territorial division of the sanjak is presented for the period preceding the Armenian Genocide (1878- 1914), 2) the main Ottoman, Armenian, Russian and Western primary statistical sources on the size of the Armenian population of the sanjak are collated and presented for the period 1878-1914 and a general description of these data is given, 3) statistical data on the Armenian population have been collated and compared according to the small administrative-territorial units – the kazas of the Sghert sanjak, paying particular attention to primary statistical sources containing data on the distribution of the Armenian population by settlements. Our own calculations of the size of the Armenian population of the sanjak were made on the basis of, and through, comparison and comparative analysis of these data. According to our calculations, based on the methodology mentioned above, on the eve of the Armenian Genocide there were 143 Armenian settlements in the Sghert sanjak, with about 2,480 Armenian households or 22,350 persons, including: the kaza of Sghert - 10 Armenian settlements, 550 households or 4,950 persons, the kaza of Shirvan - 17 Armenian settlements, 200 households or 1,800 persons, the kaza of Kharzan - 76 Armenian settlements, 940 households or 8,450 persons, the kaza of Erouh - 26 Armenian settlements, 510 households or 4,600 persons and the kaza of Bervari - 14 Armenian settlements, 280 households or 2,550 persons.

Spatial aspect of development of the economic clustering model of Volga Region

The subject of this research is the internal and external boundaries of Volga Region as a macroregion applicable to the task of development economic clustering model of its regions. The object of this research is the correlation between administrative-territorial boundaries of Volga Region and its economic zoning. The author examines the historical and other prerequisites for emergence of the set of contradictions between economic zoning, defined by the economic-geographical factors, and administrative-territorial division. Special attention is paid to the theoretical concepts and practice of economic zoning in the territory of Volga Region, presenting the results of clarification of the categorical apparatus applicable to the topic of research. The main conclusions of the conducted study consists in presence of the basis for formation of economic space of the Volga Region, as well as Volga – Pre-Urals vector of economic integration. The article also determines the instability of spatial boundaries of Volga Region as a macroregion during the XX – XXI centuries and highlights the key contradictions. The author’s contribution into research of this topic consists in determining two main approaches towards spatial selection of interregional clusters of economic integration within Volga Region.

Evenki of River Basin Olyokma: Resettlement and Land Use in the XXI Century

The relevance of the study is due to the need to study the characteristics of the resettlement of the local Evenki group of the Olekma River Basin, which influenced the modern land use and economic and cultural relations of Evenki living now in the Olekminsky District of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Kalarsky and Tungiro-Olekminsky Districts of the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Tyndinsky District of Amur region. The article focuses on the study of the Evenki population dynamics based on a comparative analysis of the materials of the censuses of the 20th century. For comparison, current data on the number of Evenks in their areas of residence according to the 2010 census are given. An analysis of archival sources showed that changes in the resettlement of Evenk clans occurred simultaneously with changes in the administrative-territorial division. Factographic materials found in the National Archives of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) confirm that when deciding on the administrative-territorial structure, the opinions and proposals of the local population were taken into account. Author’s maps were compiled, which allowed a spatial analysis of the distribution of the population and the forms of organization of the Evenki economy. It was found out that each region has its own specific land use determined by administrative decisions and regional policies.

Spatial structure of national administrative division’s systems

The spatial parameters of systems of administrative-territorial division (ATD) are considered: contact number (neighbors number), transportation permeability (average distance between neighbor intersection of administrative border by transportation routes), shapes of administrative-territorial units (some indices, including Morton index), graph theoretical indexes of Karel Kansky described the peculiarities of topological structures of ATD systems (connectivity and form). Main concepts of graph theory which are applied to describe the level of spatial (topological) complexity of ATD network are explained in detail: vertices, edges, circuit (closed round), vertices degree, topological center, circuital framework, topological tier. The technique of assignment of topological tiers in the circuital framework of ATD-system for the analysis of spatial structure of its network for 1st level of hierarchy of 9 nations is applied. Maximal number of topological tiers – 20 – for ATD system on 2nd level hierarchy is revealed on the example of the system of counties of U.S.A. The variation of numbers of topological tiers depending on the level of hierarchy of ATD is shown in the case of Spain: 2 – for 1st level hierarchy, 3 – for 2nd, 7 – for 3th, 24 – for 4th. 5 types of topological structure of national systems of ATD are distinguished: compact roundish, compact, elongated with particular distensions, elongated with parallel connections, linearly elongated with truncated circuital framework.

Territorial Distribution of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Mortality Concerning Regional Disparities in the Slovak Republic from Year 1996 to Year 2015

BACKGROUND: This paper deals with territorial distribution of the alcohol and drug addictions mortality at a level of the districts of the Slovak Republic. AIM: The aim of the paper is to explore the relations within the administrative territorial division of the Slovak Republic, that is, between the individual districts and hence, to reveal possibly hidden relation in alcohol and drug mortality. METHODS: The analysis is divided and executed into the two fragments – one belongs to the female sex, the other one belongs to the male sex. The standardised mortality rate is computed according to a sequence of the mathematical relations. The Euclidean distance is employed to compute the similarity within each pair of a whole data set. The cluster analysis examines is performed. The clusters are created by means of the mutual distances of the districts. The data is collected from the database of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic for all the districts of the Slovak Republic. The covered time span begins in the year 1996 and ends in the year 2015. RESULTS: The most substantial point is that the Slovak Republic possesses the regional disparities in a field of mortality expressed by the standardised mortality rate computed particularly for the diagnoses assigned to the alcohol and drug addictions at a considerably high level. However, the female sex and the male sex have the different outcome. The Bratislava III District keeps absolutely the most extreme position. It forms an own cluster for the both sexes too. The Topoľčany District bears a similar extreme position from a point of view of the male sex. All the Bratislava districts keep their mutual notable dissimilarity. Contrariwise, evaluation of a development of the regional disparities among the districts looks like notably heterogeneously. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable regional discrepancies throughout the districts of the Slovak Republic. Hence, it is necessary to create a common platform how to proceed with the solution of this issue.

Function-topological model of urban space sectoral zoning

This study supplements the function-topological model of analysis of city organization and development with a sectoral model of administrative-territorial division. The function-topological model allows revealing unique features of objects of the same profile, located in different space sectors. Besides, significant objects are usually placed in strictly defined sectors. Identification of general principles of spatial arrangement at all levels from geopolitics to the structure of private farmsteads on the cases of various cities, metropolitan areas and architectural ensembles is of great general scientific significance. It deals with the principles described in regional traditions: the Indian Vastu Vidya and the Chinese Feng Shui. The analysis shows that, on an intuitive level, the same principles are implemented in the activities of specialists, designers, who make decisions about the location of industries, residential areas and architectural complexes. Recognition and study of these principles are hindered by the materialistic attitudes of twentieth-century science. The results of the study lead to a radical step in recognizing many spatial elements of the mythological picture of the world as reliable ones.

CONDITIONS FOR ESTABLISHING ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL UNITS - MUNICIPALITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

The study aims to show the deficits in the legislation regarding the conditions for establishing municipalities as administrative-territorial units. An experimental methodology for assessing current regulatory conditions for establishing a new municipality in Bulgaria has been proposed, and the results from applying it have been presented. Conclusions were made per group of municipalities. A comparison was drawn between the constitutionally established role of municipalities as the main Administrative Territorial Units, in which local self-government is exercised, and the conditions for establishing a municipality, defined by the Law on the Administrative-Territorial Structure of the Republic of Bulgaria. Based on the results of the study, we have proposed to improve the understanding of the need for real forms in the social and economic sphere, instead of populist promises for a new administrative-territorial division of the country and the future positive effects determined by it.

Динамика каспийских берегов в концепции “АТласа культурного и природного наследия Дагестана”

Atlas of the cultural and natural heritage of Dagestan is a comprehensive cartographic work, which displays objects of archeology, history, ethnography, socio-economic sphere and nature, cultural, historical and natural heritage. The development of the Atlas is based on previously acquired experience in creating the Geographic and other atlases of Dagestan and involves the use of a number of methodological innovations, one of which is the use of typical contour maps with different physical and geographical outlines of coastal territories in specific historical eras. We are talking primarily about the coastline of the Caspian Sea, which has noticeably changed in the historical timescale. This approach allows to map the main historical milestones of the interaction of resettlement systems and households of the inhabitants of the Mountain Country with a very dynamic natural environment of this region. So, archaeological maps revealing the sites of pre-historic humans within the modern borders of the Republic of Dagestan include the lines of the Caspian coast in the ancient periods of sea transgressions and regressions. The atlas includes maps showing information on the dynamics and evolution of the Caspian coast for different historical eras as a result of sea level fluctuations and the variability of the Dagestan hydrographic network and the dynamics of the Terek delta and the mouth of Sulak. The history of the Caspian Sea level fluctuations was reconstructed starting from the regressive phase of sea level stand during pre-Bakinian time, when sufficiently reliable geological and geomorphological data were available to estimate, the amplitude and age of level changes. The Bakinian transgression, which consisted of two stages: Early Bakinian and Late Bakinian took place in the beginning of the Brunnes Era. Even more data is available for reconstruction of Early and Late Khazarian, and subsequent transgressions and regressions of the Caspian Sea, the boundaries of which are reflected on the map of the Paleolithic Era. The Atlas is divided into two parts, the first is represented by historical and cultural maps, the second – by the maps on natural and economic heritage of the Mountain Country. The introductory section includes basic maps on physical geography, the modern administrative-territorial division of Dagestan and its position in the North Caucasus Federal District. In total and in accordance with the work plan, the Atlas includes 100 major maps and more than 30 inset maps. A total of about 50 scientists and practitioners with different scientific profiles from the Dagestan Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences institutes, Makhachkala universities, and Lomonosov Moscow State University took part in this work.

СОВРЕМЕННАЯ ЭТНИЧЕСКАЯ ГЕОГРАФИЯ УЗБЕКИСТАНА

Spatial analysis of the population ethnic structure is a poorly developed area of socio-geographical research in Uzbekistan. The authors of the article are the first to develop a multi-level scheme of ethno-geographical zoning of Uzbekistan based on the current statistical data on the ethnic composition of the population in the republic. These statistical materials are the only source of information on the ethnic structure of the population of the country and its regions, taking into account the fact that the census in Uzbekistan has not been conducted after 1989. In the course of research, the methodological foundations of ethno-geographical zoning of Uzbekistan were developed, in particular, its principles, criteria, and taxonomic units. Ethno-geographical zoning was carried out in accordance with the grid of administrative-territorial division based on spatial grouping of rural areas and cities of regional and republican subordination; 33 types of ethnic environments were distinguished. Zoning is three-level and includes three taxonomic stages: 4 ethnogeographic provinces, 6 ethnogeographic districts and 32 ethnogeographic areas. In addition, there were identified ‘through’ spatial units − ethnogeographic tiers: upper (mountain), middle (foothill-plain) and lower (desert-oasis). The main ethnogeographic boundaries within the territory of Uzbekistan, tied to the orographic and landscape boundaries, were determined. The features of the population ethnic structure in all the ethnogeographic provinces, districts and areas are characterized. An ethno-geographical zoning map of the republic has been compiled.