Orel region in the mental geography in post-reform Russia

<p style="text-align: justify;">This work as a part of local history and human geography analyses the perception and basic images of the Orel region as conceived by the residents and visitors of this region. The paper examines a number of questions related to the specifics of the geographical position of the Orel region. Using the materials of private origin and official periodicals, we analyze how the native land, the neighbors with their specific culture were described, and how people characterized and determined the geographical position of the region with respect to the capital, the borders, other cities or large areas and with respect to the foreign countries (the image of Europe). The paper&rsquo;s specific objectives are as follows: first we will define the role of the Orel region, resulting from the specifics of its geographical position, then we will examine the mental maps that embody people&rsquo;s (the residents and visitors) schematic knowledge of the place. Finally, we will describe different types of identifications of the natives of the region, namely the writers. Chapter One shows the borderline position of the Orel region which determines its key role as a connecting link between southern regions and Russian center. Chapter Two focuses on the symbols of the regional identity, created by the residents and visitors of the Orel region. Chapter Three examines different types of (self-)identifications of the famous writers of this territory, namely regional, all-Russian identity and little Russian identity.</p>