In Russia, there is currently a lack of research on the mechanisms of map reading and perception, as well as insufficient integration of user experience findings into the design and production of cartographic representations. The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of how primary school students perceive paper and digital maps of identical content, based on a unified series of maps of the Leningrad Region. The research employs a developed evaluation framework for assessing the perception of cartographic images. The experiment involved 30 students (aged 8-10). Participants were required to answer the same set of test questions. One group worked with printed thematic maps, while the other used interactive digital maps. Special attention was given to perception patterns when using different interactive tools. It is not possible to definitively conclude which approach - interactive or analog - is more effective in terms of information delivery and comprehension. The results indicate that modern schoolchildren exhibit high engagement and perform equally well with both paper and interactive digital maps. Based on the findings, it is recommended to incorporate cartographic materials more actively and at an earlier stage into primary school curricula, particularly in subjects such as Environmental Studies and Local History. Further research on cartographic perception should expand the sample size to include not only students but also parents and educators, while integrating eye-tracking technology and analysis of user interaction patterns. Particular emphasis should be placed on refining research methodologies and implementing the results into publishing and educational practices. © 2025 Lomonosov Moscow State University. All rights reserved.