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Below is a list of websites that can help get you started. For more information on specific themes or types of maps, check our Cartographic Resources page.
Web
Resources by Geographic Area (University of Washington)
This page shows all the map-related web resources chosen by the Map
Collection librarians. Start here to find online maps and other cartographic
resources of particular interest to the University of Washington community.
Odden's Bookmarks
This searchable web database contains (as of April 2004) over 22,000
web pages about "the fascinating world of maps and mapping."
Early
Washington Maps: A Digital Collection
This site was created jointly by Washington State University and University
of Washington librarians to hold almost 1,000 digital scans of historic
Washington State maps, including topographic maps and T-sheets.
The David
Rumsey Historical Map Collection
David Rumsey is a private collector of rare historic maps who has created
an online database of scanned maps for public use. "The David Rumsey
Historical Map Collection has over 10,000 maps online. The collection
focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America maps and
other cartographic materials. Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia
and Africa are also represented." The images can be viewed and
downloaded in unusually high detail.
Library
of Congress Map Collections: 1544 - 2004 online
Although the Library of Congress has converted only a small fraction
of its huge cartographic holdings to digital form, it is still an impressive
collection. Themes include cities and towns, conservation, military
battles, etc. Browse for maps by geographic region, subject, creator,
title, or keyword. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be possible
to search by date range.
The
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection (University of
Texas at Austin)
This site has many scanned CIA maps, including a number of thematic
maps concerning vegetation, religion, population, etc. Browse for maps
by geographic region.
National
Atlas of the United States
This is an updated version of the printed atlas which was published
in 1970. The online version uses GIS, Shockwave, and other tools to
provide interactive maps and data online which can also be downloaded
for personal use.
National Atlas of Canada
This website is the sixth edition of Canada's National Atlas, providing
interactive maps and data with a wide variety of themes. Also on the
site are scanned versions of the previous 5 editions of the atlas, going
back to its origins in 1906.
United Nations Cartographic Section
Includes links to country profile maps, thematic maps, DPKO (Department
of Peacekeeping Operations) maps, the UN Map Library, and others.
The University of Texas at Austin's Perry Castañeda Library Map Collection has many scanned copies of CIA maps that are of better quality than those available on the CIA's website.
Our Base or Outline Maps page lists other base map resources available in the Map Collection.
What: Kroll atlases contain detailed parcel maps that show property lines, tax lot numbers, public parks, utility information, plat names, and many other features. The Kroll Map Company has a graphic which details all of the features depicted on Kroll maps and atlases.
What: "These atlases are the most complete collection of data of the county. Each page is a township map covering approximately 36 square miles. Scales vary from 2" to the mile with most counties and 4" to the mile for others in congested areas (1/4 townships). Most atlases do not show complete county coverage due to government holdings, national forest and parks, wilderness areas etc. Property names are provided for owners of five acres or more plus showing smaller lots and plats as well." (Source: Metsker Maps.)
What: "The Sanborn map collection consists of a uniform series of large-scale maps, dating from 1867 to the present and depicting the commercial, industrial, and residential sections of some twelve thousand cities and towns in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The maps were designed to assist fire insurance agents in determining the degree of hazard associated with a particular property and therefore show the size, shape, and construction of dwellings, commercial buildings, and factories as well as fire walls, locations of windows and doors, sprinkler systems, and types of roofs. The maps also indicate widths and names of streets, property boundaries, building use, and house and block numbers. They show the locations of water mains, giving their dimensions, and of fire alarm boxes and hydrants. Sanborn maps are thus an unrivaled source of information about the structure and use of buildings in American cities." (Source: UC Berkeley's Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps page.)
What: A cadaster is a public record, survey, or map of the value, extent, and ownership of land as a basis of taxation. Cadastral surveys began in 1851 for the Washington and Oregon areas. They were done by the General Land Office as part of the Federal Public Land Survey System. The microfiche set contains original plat maps that show legal boundary descriptions, and shows terrain and landmarks, such as trees and cabins. This brochure explains more about the history of the Cadastral Survey.
How to use the microfiche collection:
To use the CD-ROM (scanned maps only), know the township(s) and range(s) for your area of interest. Again, the Map Collection has maps to help determine the township and range for your area.
The Map Collection has a set of Green Trails maps for Washington and Oregon which can be checked out. They are located with their index in the Vertical Files under the call number WA Green Trails. Green Trails Maps are also widely available at retail outlets selling either recreational equipment or maps. For more information about these maps or where to find them, visit the Green Trails Maps website.