Prorva (Astrakhan) Correctional Labor Camp, 1932–1950: Impacts of Geographical Factors on Its Territorial Organizational Structure and Economic Activity Assessed

Introduction. Since vectors of natural resources, construction and infrastructure development across the vast Soviet territories (including that of the Kazakh SSR) were determined by geographical aspects of correctional labor camps’ territorial organization, it was the geographical factor that proved crucial to the shaping of camps system proper. So, an insight into experiences of the Prorva (Astrakhan) Correctional Labor Camp is of certain interest. Goals. The study aims at assessing impacts of geographical factors on the shaping and functioning of the mentioned labor camp’s territorial organizational structure and economic activity between 1932 and 1950. Materials and methods. The work explores documents housed by the State Archive of the Russian Federation, Archive of Internal Affairs Ministry Department in Astrakhan Oblast, outcomes of history and geography research expeditions to Mangystau and Atyrau Regions of Kazakhstan undertaken in July 2021, geographical maps. The study employs a variety of research methods, such as general scientific (analysis, synthesis, mathematical and descriptive techniques), geographical (analytical tools of cartography, comparative, physical and economic geography, expeditionary, system territorial, and factorial methods) and historical (retrospective, comparative, structural approaches) ones. Results. The paper presents a geographical analysis of six localities, reveals territorial organizational structure of the camp (the latter to have covered northern and northeastern parts of the Caspian coastline), provides an assessment of physical and geographical conditions of the camp’s economic arrangements. The latter had predetermined the availability of rich biological sea resources. However, in general, the physical and geographical components of natural environment were unfavorable (arid climate, infertile soil cover, sparse vegetation) for commercial agricultural production. The study of economic and geographical factors shows different economic potentials across localities of the camp. The economic geographical factors resulted in the shaping and functioning of a territorial organizational structure primarily aimed at efficient industrial fishing practices. Conclusions. The geographical factors proved of utmost importance and served a basis for the development of fisheries in the northern and northeastern parts of the Caspian Sea. In addition, efforts were made to initiate agricultural production and construction activities that still were to play a secondary economic role due to unfavorable conditions.

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