----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>From: "Joyce A. Ryerson" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      Soviet map projection
>To: Multiple recipients of list MAPS-L <[log in to unmask]>
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>A faculty member is trying to figure out what projection is used on a set
>Soviet topo sheets.  I wondered if anyone could help if they have these maps?
>
>The scale is 1:200,000.  They were created between 1960 and 1980 on 'a system
>of coordinates of 1942' with contours every 40 meters.  The top of each map
>has "General'nyy Shtab."   At the bottom of the maps is printed "created on
>the basis of a map of scale 1:100,000 of 19XX, 19XX year" where the years
>listed differ by sheet.   They are 'published with ordinals by the GUGK under
>the SM SSSR.'  I think the first is the Gosudarstvennoe Upravelenie Geodesy i
>Kartografii, i.e. the State Administration of Geodesy and Cartography.
>These were classified maps until recently. Many are stamped "sekretno."
>
>I have not seen the maps myself, so I am relaying the information given to
>me.  The faculty member wants to put them in a GIS and needs the projection.
>
>Thanks for any help.
>Joyce Ryerson
>Baker Library Map Room
>Dartmouth College
>[log in to unmask]
 
Soviet mapmaking is confusing, at best.  Between the "disinformation,"
plethora of projections they designed and the usual lack of margin
anotation, it is pretty hard to guess.
 
But judging by the relatively large scale, a fair guess may be the
GK system---similar to UTM, with same zones (but numbered differently)
and with a central meridian scale factor of 1.  I would try that
for starters.
 
Gerald (Jerry) I. Evenden   Internet: [log in to unmask]
voice: (508)563-6766          Postal: P.O. Box 1027
  fax: (508)457-2310                  N.Falmouth, MA 02556-1027