Deconstructing Borders, Territories, and Toponyms: Cartographic Designs in the Politically Disputed Territory of Sakhalin

Abstract

In this research, we aim to deconstruct and quantify the cartographic designs of post-war maps of Sakhalin—a politically contested island claimed at points in history by Russia, China, and Japan. The goal of this research is to enhance understanding of how the design of borders, territorial fill colors, and toponyms (place names) are presented and used to advance territorial claims. We conducted a quantitative content analysis of 138 maps in four languages, identifying key cartographic designs, including border and fill-color symbol designs, and toponym types to identify when these designs were used to express certainty and uncertainty of control. We found that uncertainty regarding territorial claims was communicated through the design of borders and territorial fill colors and was more frequently adopted by Japanese mapmakers to express the neutrality of the contested region of Southern Sakhalin and question Russia’s legitimate control. Toponyms, on the other hand, were used to communicate uncertainty through double labeling which appeared more in Chinese and Japanese maps to signify their historical presence and control of the island. This paper illustrates the ways cartographic design of border symbols, territorial fill colors, and toponyms serves to assert and facilitate political stances and claims of the contested territory of Sakhalin.