SOLVING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE FAR NORTH: THE SCIENTIFIC SIDE OF A.A. BORISOV
The article which continues the theme opened in the previous issues [17], analyzes the life and work of A.A. Borisov (1866-1934), starting from 1894. The article shows his increasing role and degree of involvement in Arctic expeditions in 1894-1903. The authors aim to retrace the evolution of Borisov from an artist, ‘poet of the Frozen World, to an economist: having arrived at the Far North to paint sceneries, Borisov got interested in solving numerous social and economic problems of the region. Most of the problems were caused by poorly developed transportation lines. According to the article, Borisov was strictly against the usage of the Northeast Passage as a trade route. The article proves the importance of Borisov’s ideas on railway projects in the Far North. The authors demonstrate maps of 1915 with Borisov’s railway projects on them giving the reader a chance to better understand Borisov’s ideas. The article as well describes the fulfilled Borisov’s project on foundation of the Solonikha health resort in the Arkhangelsk region.