Encyclopedia Britannica Map of Russia
1. Look at the publication date:
pre-1917 -- subject is Russia
pre-1992 -- subject is Russia and/or Soviet Union (see 2)
1992 and after -- Russia, Soviet Union and/or Former Soviet republics (see 2)
2. If the book is published after 1917, use the publication date and subject.
If the subject is historical and deals explicitly with the pre-1917 Russian Empire, e.g. the history of Russia during Peter the Great, always use Russia.
Russia--History--Peter I, 1689-1725; Soviet Union--History--1939-1945
not
Soviet Union--History--Peter I, 1689-1725; Russia--History--1939-1945
also not
Philosophy, Medieval--Soviet Union; Holy Roman Empire--Foreign relations--Soviet Union.
If the book deals with a non-historical subject, use the date of publication to determine the geographical subdivision; e.g. a book about birds of the former Soviet republics:
published pre-1917:
Birds--Russia
published 1917-1991:
Birds--Soviet Union
published 1992 and after:
Birds--Former Soviet republics
Many times, subjects must be doubled or tripled: e.g. a general history of agriculture in the Former Soviet republics published in 1992:
Agriculture--Russia--History.
Agriculture--Soviet Union--History.
Agriculture--Former Soviet republics--History.
3. If the subject deals with a local place, Russia, Soviet Union and Former Soviet republics are never used because of the latest name provision. All local subdivision practice goes through the country.
See Headings for the Republics of the Former Soviet Union
valid heading:
Birds--Russia (Federation)--Moscow
not
Birds--Russia--Moscow
Birds--Soviet Union--Moscow
Birds--Russian S.F.S.R.--Moscow
Birds--Former Soviet republics--Moscow
4. Commonwealth of Independent States is a corporate body and is never used as a geographic subdivision.
See also:
Geographic Area Codes: Special Cases for Russia
OPAC Notes for the Former Soviet republics
