MAP RESOURCES

Dimond Library - Documents Department
University of New Hampshire

The Government Information Department home page provides links to selected
resources by subject. The department's Data Center offers researchers computers
available for web searching as well as access to a number of subscription and
CD-ROM databases.

Map Resources Web Sites

National Atlas of the United States

http://www.nationalatlas.gov/index.html

United States Geological Survey Topographical Maps

http://www.usgs.gov/

USGS National Mapping Division Reference Collections - Library and Historical Map Archives

http://mapping.usgs.gov/html/2library.html

New Hampshire Geological Survey

http://nhgs.org/NHGS/

Central Intelligence Agency Map Sites

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/mapspub/index.html

General Guides

The Map Catalog: Every Kind of Map and Chart on Earth and Even some Above It

Ref GA 105.3 .M23
The Map Catalog is a basic resource about the many types of maps available, major sources for each map type (commercial and government sources), and descriptions and examples of the map products available. Sections include "Travel Maps," "Maps of Specific Areas," "Boundary Maps," "Scientific Maps," "History Through Maps," "Utility and Service Maps," "Atlases and Globes," "Water Maps," "Sky Maps," and "images as Maps."

Elements of Cartography

DocsRef GA 105.2 .E43 1995
Elements of Cartography is a current standard textbook with highlighted key words making it easy to use as a dictionary. It includes aerial photographs and useful addresses for remote sensing products. This text emphasizes cartographic principles in relation to geographic information systems (GIS) technology.

Fire Insurance Maps: Their History and Applications by Diane L. Oswald

HG 9771 .O85 1997
This book traces the history and development of fire insurance maps and explains their use for archivists, historians, architects/builders, environmentalists, and others.

Geographic Names Information Systems (GNIS) Users Guide by Roger L. Payne

I 19.76:84-551 (Microform)
This guide was designed to help direct users of GNIS services through the System, itself, as well as GNIS documents.

An Introduction to Topographic Map Reading

Docs Ref GA 102.6 .46 1992
This is an excellent practical guide complete with illustrations. It defines and describes topographic maps, contouring, locating points on maps, and determining position. Information in the margins and map symbols are also included.

Map Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation

GA 105.3 .M83 1992
Map Use provides good introductory material with very basic explanations of all the major concepts. The text includes chapter bibliographies, types of maps, remote sensing, and some software.

The Aerial Photo Sourcebook

Docs Ref TR 810 .C64 1998
This is a basic guide for the beginner and veteran aerial photo analyst. It has an overview, instruction in photo-interpretation, how to access sources, availability of photos, applications, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography. It deals exclusively with the United States.

The Landsat Tutorial Workbook: Basics of Satellite Remote Sensing

DOC Nas 1.61:1078
This is an excellent primer on remote sensing technology. The workbook's design assists learning with an emphasis on concepts, techniques and skills of Landsat imaging and related remote sensing systems. A glossary is included.

Cartographic Citations: A Style Guide by Susan M. Clark et al.

DocsRef PN 171 .F56 C53 1992
This short guide is actually a handbook which introduces readers to and provides examples of various map types: manuscript maps, cartographic material, atlases, models, remote-sensing imagery and computer spatial-data files. A glossary is included.

Dictionaries

Dictionary of Abbreviations and Acronyms in Geographic Information Systems,Cartography, and Remote Sensing

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/abbrev.html
This dictionary contains an extensive list of commonly used abbreviations and acronyms.

International GIS Dictionary

DocsRef G 70.212 .M33 1995
This dictionary defines over 500 basic but not software specific terms used in the growing field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This dictionary includes illustrations and a list of acronyms.

Indexes

Aerial Photography Summary Record System (APSRS)
APSRS is a CD-ROM database listing aerial photography projects within areas corresponding to USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps. It covers the United States and its territories, and includes contact information for agency or commercial firm responsible for the photographic survey.

Global NDT Internet Superhub (GNIS)

http://eis.jpl.nasa.gov/ndeaa/nasa-nde/gnis/gnis.htm
GNIS is an international database linking NDT websites. It is used for technical collaboration and information dissemination. USGS National mapping information is available here.

Geographic Names Information System

http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/
This site offers a file for populated places, specifically elevation and 1980 population counts

New Hampshire Maps to 1900: An Annotated Checklist, by David A. Cobb

Docs Z 6027 .U5 C64
This checklist organizes the cartographic history of New Hampshire. Included in this book is a guide to pre-1900 maps of the state and topographic maps after 1900 as well as providing an index to geological maps, railroad maps, early city and town maps, and fire insurance maps.

Atlases

National Atlas of the United States
http://www.usgs.gov/atlas/index.html
The Reference Department has a wide variety of atlases (books or bound collections of maps), including general world, specific area, and historical and thematic atlases. Atlases in Government Information include thematic, United States road maps, and a few New Hampshire atlases.

Topographic Maps from the US Geological Survey

http://www.usgs.gov/

USGS maps show length, width, and the configuration or shape of the earth's surface by means of contour lines.

All States for 1:50,000
All States for 1:24,000 and 1:25,000 (7.5 Minute Series)

This collection is not complete since we have only what is received as a Depository. Topographic maps are housed in the Map Room and are filed alphabetically by state and then by map name. The majority of these maps are included in the library's online catalog.

Planimetric Maps

These maps show two dimensions, length and width, but no elevation.

Most at scale of 1:100,000

These are housed in the Map Room and are filed alphabetically by state. This collection included some bathymetric maps.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Maps

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/mapspub/index.html

The CIA offers both planimetric and topographic maps of foreign countries and cities: 8-1/2 by 11 sheets. Full sheets are housed in the Map Room. They are filed by Superintendent of Documents call number and included in the library's online catalog.

National Forest Maps

These are detail elevations and trail systems. They are based on 7.5 Minute Series topographic quadrangles. They are housed in the Map Room and are filed by forest name (e.g., White Mountain National Forest).

Specialized Geologic and Hydrologic Maps

Our holdings prior to the 1980s are very selective; Andriot's Guide to USGS Publications (Docs Ref QE77 .G8 1997) is recommended for Intern-Library Loan citations and other verification. Geologic and hydrologic maps are shelved in Government Documents stacks and can circulate. They can be searched in the library's online catalog.

Nautical Charts

Sailing and navigational maps show coastal and bathymetric features. (Bathymetric is the marine equivalent of the topographic map.) Nautical charts are housed in the Map Room and are filed by Superintendent of Documents call number. Some bathymetric maps are housed among the planimetric maps. They can be searched in the library's online catalog.

New Hampshire Maps

Webster - New Hampshire State Government

http://www.state.nh.us/localgovt/cities.htm
This site provides population estimates and other relevant data on New Hampshire cities and unincorporated areas.

New Hampshire Geological Society

http://nhgs.org/NHGS/
The Reference and Government Information Departments have sets of USGS topographic maps of New Hampshire. The Government Information Department also has a CD-ROM database of New Hampshire topographic maps. The Special Collections Department collects historical New Hampshire maps.

Sanborn/Fire Insurance Maps

http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/refer.html

Fire Insurance Maps in the Library of Congress

DocsRef LC 5.2:F 51
(also in Reference HG9771 .Z574 1981 and in Microforms)
Maps, produced by the Sanborn Map Company, were developed for fire insurance purposes and cover plans of North American cities and towns. The Dimond Library currently houses Sanborn maps from:

New Hampshire, late 19^th Century to 1990
Maine
Vermont

All Sanborn maps are available in Micromedia. The most complete holdings of these maps are held in the Geograpy and Map Division at the Library of Congress (note web address at top of listing).

Remote Sensing -- Satellite Images

Landsat TM Data

Jan. 1985 - Jan. 1993. Micromedia

Landsat Microcatalog

1987-1992. Micromedia

This catalog gives ordering information for images not included in the microfiche sets as well as some indexing to the microfiche sets.

Landsat 4, Thematic Mapper Data

Micromedia

Return to Resource Guides Index

Last updated 12 June 2000