Why is the City Maps’ Content of Eastern and Central European Countries So Extensive?

Significant changes in the wealth, variety and level of graphic form of city maps are noticeable in recent years, particularly those from Central and Eastern European countries. This is a consequence of the political and economic transformation, resulting in the abolition of censorship and introduction of the free market. City maps published in Western Europe have evolved as well during the aforementioned period due to higher political and economic stability. The paper compares city maps content of 18 European countries and shows the influence of Soviet cartographic style on city maps image in post-communist countries.