Die Billings-Saryčev-Expedition 1785–1795

This study is concerned with the legacy of the secret north-east Pacific Billings-Sarychev expedition from 1785 to 1795 that was commissioned by the Empress Catharina II and opened up the Aleutian Islands and the coastal area of Alaska for the Russian Empire. The travel reports are analysed against the background of the scientific advancements made in the 18th century with respect to the way Europ...