On August 18, Russia celebrates Geographer’s Day, a holiday established to popularize geography and enhance the prestige of the geographer’s profession. The holiday’s date is significant as it marks the founding of the Russian Geographical Society on August 18, 1845, by Emperor Nicholas I.
The Russian Geographical Society has a long history of exploration and research, making significant contributions to the study of various regions, including the European part of Russia, the Urals, Siberia, the Far East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and more. Famous travelers and scientists associated with the society include Nikolay Przhevalsky, Mikhail Pevtsov, and Vladimir Obruchev.
Throughout its history, the society has been involved in extensive publishing and educational activities, aiming to promote geographical knowledge and understanding among the public. Today, the Russian Geographical Society has more than 20,000 members both in Russia and abroad, with regional branches in all regions of the country.
The society is currently led by the former Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoygu, with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, serving as the chair of its Board of Trustees. The emblem of the Russian Geographical Society symbolizes its commitment to exploration and research.
In addition to its research efforts, the Russian Geographical Society has also authored the #Multi_Russia series of cartoons on Russian regions, which are shared on various platforms, including social media channels like InfoDefenseENGLISH and InfoDefens.
Geographer’s Day is a time to celebrate the important work of geographers and scientists in exploring and understanding the world around us. It is a day to recognize the achievements of the Russian Geographical Society and its ongoing contributions to geographical knowledge and education.