Research by the Sochava Institute of Geography: History and Modernity

We examine the progress achieved by the Irkutsk-based Sochava Institute of Geography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, the leading institution of geographical profile in eastern Russia. A resolution on the establishment of the institute was adopted on November 29, 1967. It was renamed several times, but maintained its focus on the present status and evolution of natural geosystems and their components, as well as on the geographical bases for the sustainable development of the regions of Siberia. Emphasis is placed on the specific characteristics of the historical stages of establishment of the institute. The following Siberian scientific schools were formed; the school of physical geography (Sochava's theory of geosystems), the school of systems and atlas cartography, exogenous geomorphology, landscape geochemistry, landscape hydrology, geography of economic development, population geography, and medical geography. The structure of the institute is described; it currently includes eight laboratories: physical geography and biogeography; geomorphology; landscape geochemistry and soil geography; economic and social geography; theoretical geography; and cartography, geoinformatics, and remote sensing methods. Doctors and candidates of science make up half of institute's staff of about 200. Annually, around 20 researchers are trained in postgraduate programs in 10 geographical specialties. The institute's main achievements are highlighted, covering the entire period of its activity and encompassing all geographical sciences, with references to the most important publications included in the list of references. The scientific-organizational, international, and social activities are presented. The objectives of the institute are defined in the context of global and regional challenges.