This research aims to analyze the multi-temporal small-scale maps of Yakutia (XVII - early XX centuries) from the point of view of the presence and changes of the place names for the purpose of forming the images of Yakutia. This study is conducted in the framework of a research project “Landscape ontology: semantics, semiotics, and geographic modeling” (№ 15-18-20047) funded by the Russian Science Foundation. The analysis of old maps of Yakutia indicates that its territory was perceived as an area of rich river network. The names of major rivers, for the first time given on maps of the XVII century, have not changed and are present on modern maps. The wealth of natural resources and features of nature use on the maps has been shown since the beginning of the XVIII century, where the first recorded fisheries and a salt deposit were given on the maps. On a later map, beginning with the XIX century began to mark the places where the indigenous peoples live, as well as "animal crafts" and "yasak places", which confirms the historical facts about the large-scale collection of tribute in the form of furs and indicates the development of hunting indigenous peoples across the vast territory of Yakutia. The information available on the historical maps in visual form gives an idea of the natural environments, climatic conditions and the landscapes of Yakutia, established by the early XX century.