Aim. We analyze the historical course of changes in the administrative and territorial division of the territory of the Smolensk region as a border region with Belarus in the period before 1939. Methodology. The main research methods used in the work are analysis of literary, statistical and cartographic sources (atlases, published maps from cartographic online catalogues), as well as cartographic modeling. To this end, historical maps were linked to a modern digital base, and configuration and area changes were analyzed. The study is based on the cartographic method that uses maps for scientific and practical knowledge of the objects, phenomena and processes depicted on them. The analysis of historical maps made it possible to trace the territorial transformations of the region over three centuries and to assess the qualitative and quantitative changes in the borders of the Smolensk region. Results. The history of mapping the Smolensk region has been studied, which made it possible to carry out cartographic modeling of changes in the administrative and territorial division of the region, as a border region with Belarus. Changes in borders of the Smolensk province and region are key information for analysis of socio-economic development of the region. In order to understand the situation today, it is important to realize that Smolensk has long been an area with a complex history of territory formation. The periodization of changes in the administrative structure of the territory indicates alternating stages of consolidation and unbundling of territorial units. Between these stages, as a rule, long phases of stable equilibrium are clearly distinguished. The configuration of the borders and the area of the territory of the Smolensk region underwent changes, and the modern administrative and territorial division partly bears the imprint of reorganizations over three centuries. Research implications. This study of the territory of the Smolensk region is the first one to our knowledge. A qualitative assessment is given of the cartographic representation of the territory and of the cyclicality of the economic and political-geographical location. The Smolensk region has changed its status several times, which has had an impact on the economic and social order. An analysis of the historical background is the key to understanding the importance of the Smolensk region as a geopolitical frontier of the west of the country. The results will help identify an algorithm for how the border regions should react to the change in technological structures, and what place they should take in the new economic conditions. These results obtained could be useful in formulating a strategy for the socio-economic development of the region.

Aim. We determine the role and importance of tourism in the socio-economic development of rural areas, as well as in the development of a mechanism for the formation of competitive advantages of the tourism sector for the sustainable development of inter-capital rural areas of the Russian-Belarusian border. Conditions are analyzed for the development of tourism as a promising non-agricultural activity in the rural areas of the Russian-Belarusian border in the inter-capital space. Methodology. The study relies on comparative geographic and statistical methods, as well as the SWOT analysis method. Of particular importance in the work are the spatial concept of ‘center-periphery’ and the concept of sustainable development. The paper summarizes a sufficient amount of tourist statistical information from various official sources (Rosstat and Belstat). Results. Tourism and recreational opportunities of inter-capital rural areas are identified and conditions for tourism development as a promising non-agricultural activity in rural areas of the Russian-Belarusian border are analyzed. The results of the study make it possible to assess the possibility of developing tourism in inter-capital rural areas and to prove that the inter-capital factor ambiguously affects the development of tourism in rural areas of the Russian-Belarusian border. Research implications. This study is one of the first attempts to systematically study the role of tourism as a driver of the socio-economic development of the countryside of the Russian-Belarusian border in inter-capital conditions. For the effective development of tourism in the inter-capital rural areas of the Russian-Belarusian border, a mechanism has been developed for the formation of competitive advantages of the tourism sector in the context of the sustainable development of the territories under consideration.

Aim. We analyze the displacement of the geographical center of the global nanoindustry in 2000-2020 and determine the role of individual countries in the formation of the industry. Methodology. The study offers an interpretation of the main provisions of the theory of diffusion of innovations in modern conditions. As an example, the nanoindustry is considered as one of the branches of the Sixth Kondratiev cycle. To determine the external and internal factors of the industry development, the Pearson and Spearman indices were calculated, which showed a high degree of correlation between the development of the industry and the dynamics of investments in R&D, the number of operating specialized research centers of the nanoindustry and a lower dependence on the number of people employed in the industry and related R&D. The role of countries in the development of the global nanoindustry during the period under review is reflected not only statistically, but also through the definition of the world center of the nanoindustry using the centrographic method. Results. The development of the nanoindustry in the world is considered as a sequence of three stages: the global development of publication activity, the global development of patent activity, and the global development of nanoindustry productions. In the field of nanoindustry, various global spatial systems have been identified at different stages: polycentrism of ideas and monocentrism of patents. Polycentrism of ideas is a manifestation of the globalization of the market and scientific theories. The monocentrism of patents is a natural consequence of the legal and material provision of new technologies and researchers with the necessary resources. Over time, the designated territorial systems at the global level are out of balance and transformed into opposite ones. The development of nanoindustry within a particular country or territory is explained by the synergetic effect of a combination of several established factors: the number of research organizations, funding, migration of highly qualified personnel, interaction of researchers with business, openness of the local community, etc. Using the entire array of data on the development of the nanoindustry in the world, a classification of countries into the Center, Semi-Periphery and Periphery of the global nanoindustry is proposed. Research implications. The study reflects the features of the spatial organization of innovative industries and a special case of the geography of the nanoindustry. The identification of geographical patterns in the distribution of innovation potential and the existing centers of the global nanoindustry makes it possible to qualitatively assess the place of high-tech developers from individual countries, in particular the leading countries, on the world stage. This research is aimed at forming a long-term strategy for the development of the Russian nanoindustry based on world experience and taking into account global trends in the development of the industry.

Aim. The purpose of the study is to identify spatial differences and territorial problems in the development of information and communication technologies in the Russian Federation in the context of the implementation of the national project “Digital Economy”. Methodology. The paper discusses the development of information and communication technologies in the regions of the Russian Federation, and the problems and prospects for their application in various spheres of life of the population are described. On the example of the regions of Russia, the expansion of functional and technical capabilities, as well as the availability of the Internet for users, is considered. The approach applied in this paper is based on the use of point estimates of the activity of the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by the population and the development of electronic services when ranking the regions of the country according to the following indicators: ICT expenditures per capita; the share of citizens using the mechanism of obtaining state and municipal services in electronic form; the costs of the introduction and costs of information and communication services; and the share of citizens using the Internet to purchase/order goods and/or services. Complex, typological, cartographic and problem approaches are applied and a spatial analysis is performed of the development and use of information and communication technologies by the population in the regions of the Russian Federation. Results. According to the results of the study, the types of regions of Russia are identified by the activity of using information and communication technologies and the development of electronic services, a series of electronic maps is created, and two maps are presented. Research implications. The analysis of the indicators of the development of information and communication technologies makes it possible to identify the territorial differentiation of the country’s regions and the factors that determine it, which is important for solving the problems of digitalization of the Russian society and the formation of a unified information space in the country.

Aim. The paper analyzes traffic flows and assesses the auto-adaptability of micro-districts of large Russian cities. The object of this study is the capital of the Udmurt Republic-Izhevsk, the twentieth most populous city of the Russian Federation with the population of more than 646 thousand inhabitants. The subject of the study is the auto-attractiveness of point and area objects on the territory of Izhevsk within the framework of the concept of a single parking space of the city, including the determination of locations of paid parking lots. Methodology. The study is based on the materials of the previously conducted analysis of traffic flows in Izhevsk, as well as statistical data obtained directly during the work in August and September of 2021. The assessment of auto-attractiveness is performed using both traditional (in their original form) and modified indicators and methods. A modified gravity coefficient is used to calculate the auto-attractiveness. Results. Auto-attractive sites on the territory of Izhevsk are identified, the capacity of car parks is estimated for individual districts of the city, and the most ‘problematic’ districts are outlined. Research implications. The possibility of applying a gravitational coefficient for calculating auto-attractiveness has been proved. The subsequent comparison of the car parking capacity and auto-attractiveness of medium and large objects of car attraction has made it possible to reveal the most problematic districts on the territory of Izhevsk, which require special approaches and priority measures from the city authorities. The results were reported at a meeting of the Public Chamber of Izhevsk, which supported the concept of creating a single parking space in the city.