The book examines information about Ancient Rus', Volga Bulgaria, the North Caucasus, the Eastern Baltic States and the Northern Black Sea region, contained in the work of the outstanding Arab scientist of the 12th century. al-Idrisi “Nuzhat al-mushtaq fi ihtirak al-afaq” (“The joy of one who passionately desires to cross the world”). The publication includes fragments of the original text, which contain Eastern European realities, a translation of these fragments into Russian, and a historical and philological commentary. The introductory part contains an account of the history of the creation of the work, a review of manuscripts and editions of the work.