The only serious study of cartography in Armenian appeared almost 60 years ago in 1957 by the Soviet scholar Hovhannes Stepanian, entitled Armenian Cartographic Publications of 260 Years (1695-1955). This study however contained only one low quality map and along with many other shortcomings it did not list many maps published by Armenians living outside the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.

     In order to rectify this, Rouben Galichian offers in his latest book an almost complete study of the history of Armenian cartography from its inception up to 1918, including reproductions of as many maps as possible. Appearing in print for the first time are a number of maps, mainly from private collections, that have come to light through Galichian’s extensive research.

     The final chapter of the book also includes manuscript maps made between 1890-1968 which represent important contributions to the Armenian cartographic heritage. The author does not rule out other maps in Armenian that may exist in private collections inaccessible to the public.

Rouben Galichian (Galchian) was born in Tabriz, Iran and studied Electronic Engineering at University of Aston (Birmingham). His interest in geography and cartography started early in life and developed into a serious study in the 1970s. His first book Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage was followed by several other volumes on historical cartography of Armenia and adjacent regions. For his services to Armenian cartography, Galichian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and has received the Vazgen I medal and in 2013 was awarded the Movses Khorenatsi medal for his achievements in Armenian culture.