This colorful political map of the former Soviet Union outlines, in clearly definitive terms, the newly-established republics across Asia and eastern Europe. The resulting Commonwealth of Independent States was a previously unknown global geopolitical entity, and various insets highlight the population density, land use, and major military installations. Pie charts at the bottom of the page offer statistics on prominent ethnic minorities, reflecting a host of regional conflicts and long-standing grievances, ready to erupt. The map was designed by Bill Pitzer and originally published by the Virginian-Pilot and the Ledger-Star of Norfolk. This example was issued in the April 8, 1992, edition of Staunton’s News-Leader.
