P.S. If memory serves, the Empire of Tartary was not a country, but more of a large region stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Pacific. All its various parts became parts of the countries that contained it. It wasn't "wiped off the map"...it's a giant piece of land, and the land it still there. Not sure what the conspiracy is here, but one thing is for sure...kooks can create kooky conspiracies from anything, at any time.