Geography & Maps: Selected Resources
Here are selected geography and map resources available on the Internet and in the UB Libraries. For more on geography, visit the Geography Department here at the State University of New York at Buffalo. For more on maps and mapping, visit the UB Libraries Map Collection.
- Career Information
- Electronic Journals & Books
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Government Resources
- Maps and Mapping
- Map Collections
- Satellite Images, Aerial Photography & Map Databases
- Quick Tools (Calculators, Travel, Directions, Measuring, etc.)
- Geography Resources
- Map Resources
- Professional Societies
- Software
- Blogs
Career Information
- GISCareers.com. Posted jobs and resumes online. Posting resumés is free.
- Careers in Geography. Site from Association of American Geographers. Also provides answers to questions on various careers in geography, as well as help on deciding what you might want to do for a career. Has a link: Job-Search and Internship Guide For Geographers.
- Interactive Map of Geography Departments in the United States and Canada. Select from a map; provides links to departments with programs, sorted by Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate levels.
- Departments of Geography in Canada. Listings for geography departments in Canadian universities.
- Earthworks links to jobs, degree programs, for related professions.
- Geography Departments Worldwide. Searchable database of geography departments around the world. Currently has links to 1188 Departments in 97 Countries.
- Ryerson Polytechnic University. School of Applied Geography program.
- Syracuse University, Department of Geography.
- See also Professional Societies for more career-related materials.
Electronic Journals & Books
Books
- The American Practical Navigator: an epitome of navigation / originally by Nathaniel Bowditch; prepared and published by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Complete text of the latest edition online. To access: click on "Find...Publications" then select from "menu options" box at top.
- American Practical Navigator (1995 edition).
Journals
- Coordinates. (Coordinates: Online Journal of the Map and Geography Round Table, American Library Association) e-journal only. Articles on maps, geography, and map collections.
- Electronic Green Journal
- GeoWorld (available through GeoPlace.com)
- GPS World
- Network Newsletter
- Spatial Odyssey. Provides selective access to the full text of GIS conference proceeding articles.
- base line (Map and Geography Round Table (MAGERT)). Reviews of new maps, atlases, geography and cartography books, and online resources.
Geographic Information Systems
Start with the UB Libraries guide ESRI Virtual Campus Course to begin using ArcView and related products. Online tutorials are offered along with links to helpful resources.
Go to GIS Data Resources for a selected listing of resources available in the Arts & Sciences Libraries and on the Internet.
UB Geography faculty and students, go to: Geographic Information and Analysis Laboratory (GIAL).
Many GIS products and data sets are also available from US, state, and foreign government websites (see Maps: Government Resources). For topographic and satellite maps see Map & Satellite Image Database. For GIS of WNY region, see Erie and Niagara County GIS.
What is GIS? (USGS). Good introduction to GIS, including: data input and how data layers are shown. This is a good page to show someone who wants to understand GIS. Also see: GIS Glossaries for a selection of glossaries/dictionaries of GIS and Cartographic terms. ESRI also has a What is GIS? page.
GIS Sites and Resources
- Geographical Information Systems Basics (USGS). Good introduction to GIS, including: data input and how data layers are shown. This is a good page to show someone who does not understand GIS.
- ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.). The leading GIS company. Several useful ESRI links:
- GIS Dictionary (ESRI). Database of terms, acronyms, GIS/cartographic words.
- ArcGIS Help Library.
- Arc-Info Introductory Tutorial. Not a tutorial but an introduction to working with Arc-Info.
- GIS Glossaries. Selection of glossaries/dictionaries of GIS and Cartographic terms.
- Bird's Eye View GIS. GIS technology service with emphasis on "solving the world's mounting ecological, economic and social problems." Company's focus is on environment, nature, and human ecology.
- Boston Atlas. (Boston Redevelopment Authority ). Excellent example of GIS. Boston maps and satellite imagery with layers for dates from early Boston to the present.
- County GIS Sites for New York State. County official GIS; added as they go online.
- Historical County Boundaries of United States. Includes GIS data files.
- Dictionary Of Abbreviations And Acronyms In Geographic Information Systems (UC Berkeley).
- Digital Map of the World (MapInfo format). Vector map of the world, in MapInfo TAB format based upon the 1:1,000,000 Operational Navigation Charts & DCW from the U.S. Department of Defense. DMW is the most detailed 1:1,000,000 world map in MapInfo format.
- Erie County GIS. Collection of GIS sites for Erie County, NY. Niagara County, NY is also available.
- Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative (ECAI). This site features cartographic tools for "visualizing and analyzing historical and cultural phenomena." Users may create "maps based on a theme, era and region." The "Projects" section provides examples, and the "Participating" section provides instructions. Also includes information about the underlying technology. Note: Access to some datasets requires a password. Sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley.
- Geo Directory of Products and Services (GeoPlace). Directory of organizations, agencies, commercial companies, GIS, mapping, and other products and services.
- Geologic map databases for the United States: Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (Open-File Report (2005-1325)). Geological maps, data, and metadata for 5 states. Useful for GIS applications with Arc Export, ArcView shapefiles, and Attribute Tables.
- Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS). Free Geographic Information System (GIS) software used for geospatial data management and analysis, image processing, graphics/maps production, spatial modeling, and visualization. GRASS GIS is currently used in academic and commercial settings around the world, as well as by many governmental agencies and environmental consulting companies. GRASS GIS is an official project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo).
- GIS Data Depot. Provides FREE GIS data downloads from over a terabyte of GIS data and creates custom spatial data CD-ROMs as an alternative.
- GIS Gateway (U.S. Bureau of the Census). Offers connections to many Geographic Information Systems (GIS) resources available on the Internet.
- GIS MGRS Grid Data layers and UTM zones in GIS Format (US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)). UTM, MGRS Shape files for World and specific regions.
- Graphical Locater. Primarily for data on hydrologic regions (HUC), but also has data for most features. Using a map, locate geographical features and find coordinates, hydrologic data on the feature (and USGS topo map info).
- Great Lakes Information Network Maps and GIS page.
- Great Lakes Bathymetry (NOAA/NGDC). Data sets, shape files for each lake, plus other data.
- Mapping Information Platform. (FEMA) GIS atlas of hazards and potential disasters in the U.S. Data sets and maps available for download.
- India Census GIS Data.
- National Gap Analysis Program (GAP). A Geographic Approach to Planning for Biological Diversity (USGS program). GIS system providing regional assessments of the conservation status of native vertebrate species and natural land cover types and to facilitate the application of this information to land management activities.
- National Land Cover Database (Multi-Resolution Land Characterization Consortium (MRLC)). U.S. Land cover GIS data and maps. Provides the Nation "with nationally complete, current, consistent, and public domain information on the Nation's land cover."
- New York GAP Analysis - Part of the GAP program. Involves mapping the distribution of animals and plants on land and in aquatic ecosystems.
- National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (University of California at Santa Barbara, University at Buffalo , and University of Maine).
- New York State Gazetteer & GeoData Collection. This UB Libaries page provides a gazetteer, along with the digital collection of downloadable USGS topographic maps, such as georeferenced Digital Raster Graphics (DRG's). These maps are suitable for both general use and GIS applications.
- New York State GIS Clearinghouse. The place to go for NYS data and related resources.
- New York State County GIS sites. County official GIS; added as they go online.
- Niagara County GIS. Niagara County site.
- Ontario Basic Mapping. View/create maps showing a variety of layers.
- Spatial Data Sources. Links to a wide range of GIS resources.
- SpatialNews. Commercial site, but has the latest news and developments in GIS.
- Tiger Database. U.S. Census. Offers GIS and various data sets on the Census reports.
- TOXMAP. A Geographic Information System (GIS) from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that uses maps of the United States to help users visually explore data from the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). TOXMAP maps show where chemicals are released on-site into the air, water, and ground, and identify the releasing facilities, single year releases, and chemical release trends over time. TOXMAP provides information/links from these databases:
- Digital GIS Data Websites (Stanford University Libraries). Links to data sets; well-organized. Federal, State, and International GIS sources. Key themes include: San Francisco and California, as well as, GIS data by topic (e.g., Meteorological Data, Archaeology, Business, Humanities, Marine Biology). See also GIS Data Bookmarks for more.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
- GPS World
- GPS Introduction (Garmin). What it is, how it works, how to start working with GPS. Also has sections on advanced concepts, such as WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System).
- Global Positioning System. GPS overview and bibliography by Peter H. Dana, The Geographer's Craft Project, Department of Geography, The University of Colorado at Boulder.
- Guide to GPS Resources. Links to a variety of GPS pages.
- GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). (Formerly the International GPS Service) (IGS JPL-NASA), along with a multinational membership of organizations and agencies, provides GPS orbits, tracking data, and other high-quality GPS data and data products on line in near real time to meet the objectives of a wide range of scientific and engineering applications and studies.
- FAA GPS Website. The Federal Aviation Administration site contains basics, technical aspects, regulations, and policies on use, among other resources. A valuable site.
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Resource Library (GPSy). Software applications, data sets, and other resources for GPS users.
- Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site. Become more efficient with your GPS while having fun at the same time. Provides additional data and learning activities
- Global Positioning System page (U.S. Forest Service). Not limited to Forest Service activities. Has reports and reviews of equipment, data sets, tests, more.
- GPS Map and Tour Guide Authoring Resources. Using GPS, create your own travel maps.
- Time Converter for GPS Seconds.
- GPS Glossary (Garmin).
- US Naval Observatory (USNO) GPS Operations. Technical data and information on the entire satellite system and how it is coordinated.
- GPS Utility (software). Computer program for handling GPS information.
- Xastir. The Xastir APRS/Mapping program now supports USGS DRG geotiff topo maps, which are available for most areas of the U.S. for free. The total number of map formats that this program can handle is up to 114. Xastir has compiled and run successfully on Solaris, FreeBSD, Linux, and Mac OS X to date. Sorry, we don't do Windows.
- Transverse Mercator Calculator. A useful tool for GPS users.
- See also: UTM and UTM Calculation
Maps and Mapping
- Topographic Maps. Introduction and links to resources and tutorials on how to read, interpret, and use topographic maps.
- Relief maps. by Sadalmelik. Well-drawn relief maps of many countries in: Africa, Asia, Central & South America, Indonesia (some main islands), various Pacific islands and island groups, among others.
- Using the Latitude Longitude Coordinate System. Instructions and tools. Also links to using the UTM system.
- Online Cartographic Resources
- USGS Geography Educational Materials. For teachers and students. Lessons and exercises in geography, map reading and use, geological study, and other topics. Also has great links to additional student/teacher sites online.
- Finding Your Way With Map and Compass. USGS publication on reading and using maps. USGS has other Factsheets on a variety of mapping topics, such as: How to Obtain Aerial Photographs, Map Accuracy Standards, Map Scales.
- History of Cartography. Six-volume, online scholarly book, plus exhibits and other resources on the history of cartography from pre-historic maps to the present.
- How to Make a Map in Illustrator. Tutorial on making maps.
- Dictionaries and Glossaries of Geographic, Cartographic Terms. Lists best resources available.
- Maps Locator A megalinks listing of maps by the University of Iowa Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research.
- Map Transformation Calculator. Pick three widely-spaced sample points on the map (a broad triangle covering a large portion of the map is best), for which you know the precise geographical location, and tile coordinate.
- National Geospatial Program Standards and Specifications (USGS).
- US Naval Observatory. Resources and documents for navigation, celetial observations, time, sun/moon/planet data, etc.
- Official Road Map of Ontario (Ontario Ministry of Transportation). pdfs of the map in sections. Select a region and get the map.
- On-Line Resources for Land Surveying and Geomatics.
- Perseus Atlas Project
- Handbook of Magnetic Compass Adjustment (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency). Earth magnetic fields and how to compensate for navigation.
UTM and UTM Calculation
- UTM Grid Zones of the World. World map and explanation of how to determine UTM coordinates.
- Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid Fact Sheet 077-01 (August 2001). How to read UTM coordinates. (Also pdf version)
- How to Use UTM/MGRS Coordinates. Instructions and tools.
- UTM Grid Fact Sheet (USGS)
- UTM Utilities (National Geodetic Survey). Convert Lat/Long to UTM or UTM to Lat/Long.
- Converting Latitude/Longitude to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) (GPSy website). Converters that can be used on a Mac or PC.
- Converting UTM to Latitude and Longitude (Or Vice Versa) (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. For math formulae and spreadsheets.
- GEOTRANS Geographic Translator (US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency). Software and source code. GEOTRANS (Geographic Translator) is an application program for easy conversion of geographic coordinates among a wide variety of coordinate systems, map projections, and datums.
- Geographic/UTM Coordinate Converter. Simple converter for online conversion.
Map Collections
- University at Buffalo Map Collection. On the collection, and: resources, maps and charts, links to local government and other map and geography sources, GIS, as well as special pages: Buffalo, New York Neighborhoods Map , Buffalo, NY in Maps , Teaching With Maps, and others.
- Afriterra. Cartographic library assembling and preserving original rare maps of Africa.
- Alabama Maps (University of Alabama). Maps covering world, countries, states. Maps include: outline, historical, current, in pdf, jpeg, and Mr. Sid. Has: Historical Map Index; Contemporary Map Index.
- American Geographical Society Digital Map Collection (American Geographical Society Library). Historic and rare maps, ranging from early maps of Asia to historical maps of Wisconsin and Milwaukee, and other American cities, states, and national parks. The main library site leads to more map collections.
- American Memory Map Collections (Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress). Includes historic and other maps, with a variety of search indexes.
- Arctic and North Polar Region Maps (Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks). Collection of published and manuscript maps from the 19th century on.
- Arizona Geospatial Data and Maps (University of Arizona Library). E-maps of: Natural Resources, People and Society, Business and Economics, and Environment and Population. Maps and associated data can be printed or downloaded. Also includes GIS data for download.
- Bodleian Library Map Room
- CIA World Factbook Reference Maps. Has digital maps of world nations and regions.
- Cornell University Map Collection. Includes collection descriptions (and some digital maps), GIS of state and regional topics, links to other map/cartographic resources.
- David Rumsey Historical Map Collection. Amazing digital collection of 10,000+ rare 17th-19th century North and South America maps and other cartographic materials, with additional historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia and Africa.
- Electronic Map Library at California State University, Northridge. Includes the Digital Atlas of New York City and many other unique maps.
- Geologic Atlas of the United States (Texas A & M. Map and GIS Collections and Services) Set of 227 folios published by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1894 and 1945. Each folio includes both topographic and geologic maps for each quad represented in that folio, as well as description of the basic and economic geology of the area.
- Harvard Map Collection
- Hipkiss's Scanned Old Maps. Variety of scanned maps, travel maps, etc.
- Historic USGS Maps of New England & New York. University of New Hampshire, Dimond Library Digitized collection of topographic maps of New England states from the 1890s to 1950s. New York State is also available.
- Historic Topographic Maps. (MyTopo commercial site; some restrictions for use). Provides direct access to image files of historic topo maps for states, including: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
- History of Europe (Periodis Web: a Historical Atlas and Gazetteer of Europe from Year 1 to 2000). Interactive atlas covers Europe, by century, in two periods: Europe 1-1000 A.D.; 1100 to 2000. Samples: Europe 1 AD ; Rome 100; 1000; 1500; 2000.
- John R. Borchert Map Library. University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). Includes all formats and themes.
- Linguistic Maps (Mutur Zikin). Extensive collection of detailed maps showing languages spoken, by country, continent, and region. Also has regional linguistics maps for the United States.
- Lunar Topographic Orthophotomap (LTO) Series. Digital images of 1:250,000 scale maps produced by the Defense Mapping Agency. Other digital atlases of the Moon (and other planetary bodies) are available from the main site of the Lunar and Planetary Institute.
- Map And Geographic Information Center (MAGIC). University of Connecticut. GIS, aerial imagery, conventional maps. Emphasis on Connecticut, but has more.
- Mapping Globalization. Intended for everyone interested in globalization. Website goal: empirical work on globalization as widely accessible as possible. Contains an expanding set of resources for students, instructors, and researchers, and provides a forum for empirical research on globalization. Especially adding raw data and in the visualization of such data, including maps and animations.
- National Atlas of the United States. Interactive map of the United States allowing the user to "map more than 2 million geographic names" in a series of map layers.
- New York Public Library Map Division.
- Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education. University of Southern Maine, Portland. Collection includes rare and unique maps dating back to the 15th century.
- Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. University of Texas at Austin. This is one of the most comprehensive sources for digitized maps and for links to maps in other collections.
- State University of New York at Stony Brook Map Library. Includes: New York State Map Pathfinder. Digital images of maps of New York State (historic maps, panoramic maps, many other).
- Subway - Historical Maps of New York City's Subway system. Also go to main map page , which has route maps and related maps, as well as NYC Omnibus Corp. maps.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Collections. Sanborn maps for NYS and U.S.
- Transportation Maps (Selected list)
- Subway Route Finder (Page & Moy travel agency). Subway route maps and information for major cities worldwide, including New York, Toronto, London, Paris, and others.
- Subway Maps [of world cities] (Amadeus Global Travel Distribution). Select maps for cities on five continents.
- Subway Page: Links to World Subway and Other Transportation Information Resources. Subway and various methods of transportation maps and data, for many cities around the world.
- See also: Transportation Maps at UB.
- University of Alabama Map Collection
- University of California at Berkeley Map Collection. Collections include, maps, atlases, aerial photos, and other materials. Has links to good collections, mapping Web resources.
- Earth Sciences & Map Library (UC Berkeley). Facsimiles and Reproductions of rare maps.
- University of Chicago Map Collection
- University of Victoria, British Columbia, Map Library. Collection with emphasis on Canada. Includes a aerial photo collections and links to the national aerial photo database.
- World Mapper. An excellent source for maps of the World that show demographics, economics, and other statistical sets. Almost 400 maps that display data by varying the size of each country based on statistical data sets.
- Yale University Map Collection.
Map Collections (Directories)
- New York State Map Pathfinder. (SUNY at Stony Brook). Digital images of maps of New York State (historic maps, panoramic maps, many other).
- Maps Locator. Megalink listing of maps by the University of Iowa Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research. Not all links work but ones that do are useful.
Satellite Images, Aerial Photography, and Map Databases
These are websites that allow you to search for places, coordinates, and then see high resolution (down to 1 meter) images of those places. Uses USGS topographic map, GIS, and satellite imagery from other countries. Images can be downloaded or purchased (high-quality).
Western New York satellite images are available at the sites below; for local imagery, see: Western New York GIS; and Aerial Photographs of Western New York & Buffalo.
For instructions on how to download and use Terraserver and other mapping systems below, see: Downloading and Formatting Earth Images. For Terraserver images, see: Downloading & Formatting Earth Images from Terraserver for Recreational, Scientific, Educational & GIS Use.
United States ImagesOther Countries and Regions
- USGS Maps and Aerial Photo Images Online. Now part of the National Map system; has additional map and image sites, similar to the TerraServer.
- MyTopo.com. Create custom topo maps and aerial images from USGS base topos and satellite images. You can download copies or order high quality copies (prices are reasonable).
- Live Search Maps.Using USGS and other data, locate a fixed address or place, then navigate to see satellite or oblique (bird's eye) imagery. Covers US (data density based on area) and some World locations in various levels of completeness.
- TerraFly Similar to TerraServer below. Enter an address or zip code and get a satellite view centered on that point. Then you can virtually "fly" over the countryside. The results show much more than an image, and you can select a point to obtain data on that point.
- TerraServer (Microsoft). Offers both USGS topographic maps, and corresponding high-altitude images (down to 1 meter).
- TopoZone Web topographic map made with data from the USGS to create the Web's first interactive topo map of the entire United States. Similar to the TerraServer.
- Satellite Views. Uses Google Maps for worldwide coverage, but has categorized views to pinpoint specific features (from country through city, and then specific smaller features).
- Intute Worldguide. Satellite images for countries and features in those countries. Also includes geographical data, maps, and other materials.
- See also: Aerial Photograph Collections in Other Institutions (Selected List). These are for locations across the country.
- DigitalGlobe. Commercial GIS and mapping site (most imagery is fee-based). Has selection of satellite imagery of various countries, regions, and features available to view or download. Often posts places in the news. Search their database to see if sample high-res images exist for your area.
- Planet Observer.com. Beautiful images, some samples to view, but mostly for purchase.
- QuickBird Satellite Imagery Samples (on MapMart site). View samples of these for free and download large-size images.
- Canada From Space (Canada Centre for Remote Sensing). Satellite and remote-sensing images of the country.
- National Air Photo Library (Natural Resources Canada). Extensive aerial and high-altitude images of Canada. Find digital copies of images and order photos. Also has resources on aerial photography, including: Introduction to Air Photo Interpretation , a page that explains how to 'read' these photographs.
- WorldSat International. More beautiful images, some samples to view. Canadian emphasis. One special feature: 3-D satellite images are available!
- Map Library. Source of public domain basic map data concerning administrative boundaries in developing countries. The data is broken down into manageable chunks to make it easier to download. Has image files and ESRI-GIS useable files. Current coverage: Africa, Central America.
- Satellite Image Map of Antarctica. USGS website for images of this continent.
- Earth Images and Data. NASA Earth Observing System. Collection has images covering a variety of fields. Many images are high-resolution, while most also offer lower resolution images. Most of these images are copy-free so no permission is needed to use, as long as the guidelines are followed. Several examples are shown below:
- Earth Science Images. Includes: Saharan dust storm in February 2000. (Scroll down page to locate. Click on main image to see animated images of the storm's progress).
- Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth (GAPE). Photos taken from Space trips. Well displayed views, with location info. Search by clicking on World map, or by place name, mission, or other fields. A selection of images but contains many unique locations (e.g., Galapagos Islands ).
- World Imagery (ESRI). Satellite imagery for the world and high-resolution imagery (1m+) for the United States, Great Britain, and hundreds of world cities.
Quick Tools & Maps (for Travel, Directions, Measuring, etc.)
- Cartographic Reference Resources (Univ. of Texas at Austin, P-C Library). Links for Distance Calculators, Gazetteers, Glossaries, Guides, Map Scale, etc.
- Elevations and Distances in the United States (USGS). Quick tables, with elevation references for various topics (e.g., U.S. cities and their elevations).
- How far is it? Site calculates the distance between two points; accuarate enough for general measurements.
- Distance Calculator (InfoPlease). Simple distance calculation between two named cities.
- Google Maps Distance Calculator. Select a starting point, find ending point and mark, then distance (mi. or km) is displayed.
- Distance Calculator. Start on a spot, then using the Google map, track course. Once you click the button, the distance (in km) is presented.
- Map Crow. Find the distance (as the crow flies) between cities. Presently limited selection of cities, however list is growing.
- Great Circle Calculator. Calculates Great circle distance, course & bearing between locations entered via a map or latitude & longitude. Includes magnetic declination calculator, animated course plot and 390 cities.
- Great Circle Distance & Calculator. Brief description of concepts. Gives formulae for calculating great circle distances given lat/long. of points.
- Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation. Enter coordinates for distance between (statuate or nautical mi. or km).
- Magnetic Field Calculators (NOAA/NGDC). Compute magnetic declination, by entering location and date of interest. Following this, you can Learn How to Use Your Declinination Value.
- Nautical Calculators (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGIA). Calculators to solve many marine navigation equations and conversions. Each calculator page is a self-contained JavaScript program that can be downloaded and used off-line.
- Map Scale Calculator. For finding scale on a map or for converting map scale.
- Map Maker: Show Off Where You've Been. Select a base map, then select all countries or states that you have visited, push the button and get an image showing your selections. Also good for making simple maps showing any country-specific data (e.g., countries that produce a specific product).
- via Michelin.Michelin worldwitde maps power this system, similar to Map Blast and others. Has interface for many different languages.
- MapQuest World Atlas World and country maps, as well as links to address mapping and road trip planning.
- World Time Zones Map (US Naval Observatory).
Geography Resources
- Digital Diplomacy for Students. Geography learning site by the U.S. State Department. (K-12 level, but useful for all). See also: Youth and Education page for educators and students.
- Glossaries of Geographical Terms. Also has GIS glossaries.
- Map Projections. Pages devoted to map projections, from basics to designing and software.
- Painting With Maps. Start with a map, then paint over it historic landmarks and features to visualize what came before.
- World Population maps. Gridded Population of the World (GPW). Maps showing population distribution, from UN and world government data sets.
- World Sites Atlas. Find simple political and physical maps of countries, states, and provinces, along with basic geographical information.
Map Resources
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Newberry Library). Maps and text data about creation and subsequent changes (dated to the day) in the size, shape, and location of every county in the United States (including the District of Columbia). Also includes non-county areas, unsuccessful authorizations for new counties, changes in county names and organization, and the temporary attachments of non-county areas and unorganized counties to fully functioning counties. Download GIS files by state.
- Historic Urban Plans, Inc. Publishers of attractive and historically important maps, plans, and views. The maps are exact facsimiles of original engravings, lithographs, and manuscript drawings from major museums, libraries, archives, and private collections.
- Outline Maps. Links to outline map websites.
Professional Societies and Organizations
- AAG (Association of American Geographers)
- ACMLA (Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives)
- ACSM (American Congress on Surveying & Mapping)
- AGI (Association of Geographic Information)
- AGS (American Geographical Society)
- ANZMapS (Australian and New Zealand Map Society Inc.)
- APA (American Planning Association)
- ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing)
- BCS British Cartographic Society
- CCA (Canadian Cartographic Association)
- GIS (Geoscience Information Society)
- GISCI (GIS Certification Institute)
- GITA (Geospatial Information & Technology Association)
- GSA (Geological Society of America)
- IAG (International Association of Geodesy)
- ICA (International Cartographic Association)
- IFS (International Federation of Surveyors)
- IGU (International Geographical Union)
- IHO (International Hydrographic Organisation)
- ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing)
- MAGIRT (Map and Geospatial Information Round Table, American Library Association; formerly MAGERT)
- MELA (Middle East Librarians Association). American association for the education and improvement of Middle East map collections.
- NACIS (North American Cartographic Information Society)
- NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying)
- NEMO (North East Map Organization)
- RSGS (Royal Scottish Geographical Society)
- SC (Society of Cartographers (UK))
- URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association)
- WAML (Western Association of Map Libraries). Includes useful page, Map Librarian's Toolbox.
- Washington Map Society Washington, D.C. area.
- Map Library Organizations page (produced by WAML). Listing of organizations throughout the world).
Software
- DIY Map: Visualize your information. DIY Map is a clickable, zooming map written in Flash and colored by data from an external text file. Plot data on a state map. Create a geographic interface.
- Epi Info ™ ? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Epi Info? (free download) allows, epidemiologists and other professionals to develop a questionnaire or form, customize the data entry process, and enter and analyze data. Epidemiologic statistics, tables, graphs, and maps are produced with simple commands. Epi Map displays geographic maps with data from Epi Info?. Page has data downloads for created studies, help, and other materials. See their page: Resources for Creating Public Health Maps.
- GEOTRANS Geographic Translator (US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency). Software and source code. GEOTRANS (Geographic Translator) is an application program for easy conversion of geographic coordinates among a wide variety of coordinate systems, map projections, and datums.
- How to Make Your Own Google Maps (Google). Official information and help page for creating custom maps using Google Maps.
- HOW-TO: Make your own annotated multimedia Google map. Advice and instructions on using Google Maps system.
- Project GeoSim - Geography Education Software.
- Smart Draw. Draw maps; templates included.
- Your Sky Celestial Chart creator (Fourmi Lab). Enter coordinates and time, get a map. If you choose a specific city, you get a by-product of exact coordinates for that city.
- See also: Geographical Information Systems for GIS-related software.
Blogs (Selected)
- Google Maps Mania. Unofficial Google Maps blog tracking the websites, mashups and tools being influenced by Google Maps.
- GeoCarta Mapping and Navigation.
- Mapperz: Mapping News Blog. Map and GIS News finding blog. Mission is to provide the newest, fastest, cleanest and most user friendly maps available online.
- Strange Maps. Carto-curiosities, geo-spatial concepts, and a variety of creative ideas turned into maps.