The studies carried out by Russian scholars in Central Asia and the interior of Asia constitute a brilliant chapter in the history of humanity’s geographical knowledge. The first journeys of our compatriots to these regions date back to the distant past, but in terms of scientific understanding, the past century has been particularly productive. Beginning in the 1850s, a new era commenced in the exploration of the most inaccessible regions of the Asian continent. The task of investigating Central Asia and the inner regions of Asia was accomplished by Russian scholars, a fact that has gained worldwide recognition. The bold routes penetrating deep into the heart of Asia were once only a dream for Western European geographers. Russian geographers and naturalists, however, succeeded in realizing them. Approaching from various directions, they crossed the interior of the continent and revealed the true natural character of Central Asia and Inner Asia. This booklet describes the work of several Russian scholars in the interior of Asia. Their investigations began with the expedition of P. P. Semenov-Tian-Shansky to the Central Tien Shan during 1856-1857. The essays presented here focus primarily on the discoveries and activities of Russian travelers in Central Asia and Inner Asia. When describing the work of a particular scholar, it would be inappropriate to discuss only his Asian research while completely ignoring his other contributions. Therefore, each essay contains a brief account of the scholar’s life, essential biographical information, and contributions to science. However, the principal emphasis is placed on journeys in Central Asia and Inner Asia and on the scientific results that correspond to the aims and subject matter of this volume. Some of the essays on Russian explorers and natural scientists of Central Asia and Inner Asia had previously been published by the author in various journals and collected works. For the present edition, these essays have been revised in accordance with the overall plan of the book, while most of the essays are published here for the first time. The chapters are arranged in chronological order. The list of distinguished Russian researchers of Central Asia and Inner Asia discussed in this book is by no means limited to the eleven scholars included here. Travelers and explorers such as G. Karelin, V. Roborovsky, A. Middendorf, A. Krasnov, and S. Neustruyev are certainly also deserving of attention. However, the scope of the present volume does not permit the inclusion of essays on a larger number of researchers. The author hopes to return to this subject in the future and to tell the stories of other noteworthy investigators of Central Asia and Inner Asia who have not been forgotten. The author expresses sincere gratitude to Professor A. Bannikov, Professor A. Ksi, Professor I. Raikova, L. Smirnova, and B. Fedorovich, who kindly permitted the publication of their photographs alongside those of the author.