Cartographic & Geospatial Resources

Cartographic Curiosities: This page provides information about "Odd, curious, and fanciful maps from the holdings of the Map Collection, Yale University Library."
Data.gov: Data.gov provides access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the U. S. Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Information in searchable data catalogs can be accessed in three ways: through the raw data catalog, the tool catalog, and the geodata catalog. This site offers access to a vast amount of resources. There are datasets for a wide range of subjects including agriculture, business, climate, ecology, administrative and political boundaries, imagery and base maps, military, locations and geodetic networks, oceans and estuaries, transportation networks, utilities and communications, and much, much more. Search by keyword, single or multiple categories, and⁄or single or multiple agencies.
David Rumsey Map Collection: The David Rumsey Collection focuses on 18th and 19th Century cartography of the Americas, but also includes world maps and maps of other regions. Rumsey has partnered with Google Earth and other software vendors to bring added value information functions to his map collection. Rumsey has also established a region in the virtual world Second Life where his maps can be explored in a three dimensional world. He has recently transferred his collection to Stanford University.
David Rumsey Map Collection in Second Life: This link will take you to the David Rumsey Map Collection in the virtual world Second Life. You will have to be registered with Second Life and have created an avatar in order to use this link. There are four Rumsey map islands in Second Life which offer unique perspectives of exploring a nice selection of this extenisve collection. Rumsey has been active in partnering with GIS software developers to bring added value functioning to cartographic materials. This link will take your avatar to the front of the David Rumsey Map Collection Museum in Second Life. There is a detailed presentation available on the second floor of the museum, which I strongly urge those who are interested in geospacial information to watch. Then, treat yourself to a truly amazing experience as you fly inside and out of a beautiful celestial globe!
FEMA Maps Service Center: Access flood maps, information on insurance, and create your own flood rate map.
Find a Map!: This page provides access to the United States Geographic Survey map databases. Map indices can be used to locate, view, and create maps.
Geodata.gov: This U. S. Environmental Protection Agency site highlights key environmental and conservation Geographical Information System (GIS) resources. Access U.S. maps and data in a variety of data categories such as atmosphere, demographic, elevation, geology, health, inland water, transportation, utilities, and more. There are also links to special interest subjects including geographic names, fire mapping, historical collections, Lewis and Clark, local governments, the National Atlas, the National Map, and more.
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS): The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is the federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature. It serves as the official repository of domestic geographic names data, the official vehicle for geographic names use by all departments of the U. S. federal government, and the source for applying geographic names to federal electronic and printed products.
Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN): The Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names is a structured vocabulary that can be used to improve access to information about art, architecture, and material culture. The TGN includes names and associated information about places. Places in TGN include administrative political entities (e.g., cities, nations) and physical features (e.g., mountains, rivers). Current and historical places are included.
Google Earth: Google combines its search capabilities with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to provide tools to zoom into global street level geographical access as well as astronomical imagery. Download the free software and place the program icon on your desktop for easy access.
Havaria Emergency and Disaster Information Services Alert Map: This site from Budapest, Hungary visually tracks disaster alerts worldwide from Avian flu outbreaks to volcanic eruptions and terrorist attacks.
HyperCities: This University of California Los Angeles and University of Southern California collaboration uses Google Earth and Google Maps to allow users to go back in time to create and explore the historical layers of city spaces in an interactive, hypermedia environment. The aim of this project is to connect digital archives, maps, and stories with the physical world through the use of social technologies. City maps are overlaid with geo-temporal information. Content is being developed for Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Rome, Lima, Ollantaytambo, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Saigon, Toyko, Shanghai, Seoul, with many more (big and small) to come.
Library of Congress Map Collections: This site provides access to a selection of digitized maps from the holdings of the Library Congress across sevent catagories: cities and towns; conservation and environment; discovery and exploration; general maps; cultural landscapes; military battles and campaigns; and transportation and communication.
National Atlas: Use this U. S. Geographical Survey site to customize maps, including maps by subjects such as history, transportation, agriculture, climate, people, and more. Customize printable maps by mixing and matching layers.
National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB): The NGMDB is a data portal which provices quick browsing and query of United Stataes geologic maps, in a standardized format and links to source information found via the NGMDB Map Catalog and Geologic Names Lexicon.
Nautical Chart Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms: Once published in chart form as U. S. Chart No. 1, this PDF online publication has been expanded and is a reference tool depicting basic chart elements and explains nautical chart symbols and abbreviations associated with NOAA and NGA charts. Chart No. 1 is organized according to subject matter: General, Topography, Hydrography, Aids and Services, and Indexes. Each specific subject is given a letter designator. Under each heading, letter designators further define subject areas, and individual numbers refer to specific symbols. Information is arranged in columns. The first column contains the IHO number code for the symbol in question. The next two columns show the symbol itself, in NOS and NGA formats. If the formats are the same, the two columns are combined into one. The next column is a text description of the symbol, term, or abbreviation. The next column contains the IHO standard symbol. The last column shows certain symbols used on foreign reproduction charts produced by NGA.
University of Texas Map Collection: This site provides access to an extensive collection of maps and map sites.
Yale Map Collection: Online access to some of the maps in one of the largest university map collections in the United States.