Guide to Geography Research            
Internet Links

A list of World Wide Web sites that are relevant to geography studies is provided below. Also provided is a link to a list of Web search engines and directories that may be used to look for other relevant sites on the Web. Caution: The World Wide Web provides access to much useful information. However, users should carefully evaluate the quality of each Web resource consulted. Not all Web pages are objective, authoritative, or accurate. 

Associations

American Geographical Society

Established in 1851, the American Geographical Society is the oldest professional geographical organization in the United States.  It is recognized world-wide as a pioneer in geographical research and education.  

Association of American Geographers

Link for a scientific and educational society whose members share interests in the theory, methods, and practice of geography.

 

Geographical Association

Publisher of Geography, Primary Geography, and Teaching Geography, this United Kingdom organization aims to further the study and teaching of geography throughout the world.

 

International Geographical Union

Exploring the global resources in the field of geography.

 

Society of Cartographers

The Society aims to support the practicing cartographer and encourage and maintain a high standard of cartographic illustration by providing information and opportunities to meet and exchange views and techniques with fellow practicing cartographers.

 

Royal Geographical Society

The Royal Geographical Society supports the advancement of geographical science and has been among the most active of the learned societies. The largest geographical society in Europe, and one of the largest in the world, the RGS-IBG operates at regional, national and international levels.

 

 

Census

AgingStats.gov- Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics.

Bureau of Labor Statistics- Information related to employment, unemployment, and labor economics.

ChildStats.gov- Forum on Child and Family Statistics.

County and City Data Book2000

Historical Census Browser-University of Virginia

Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By

     Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States

Historical Decennial Census

Historical Census Reports - Contains historical census reports in PDF for 1790-1860, 1990, and 2000.

Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000 - Contains questionnaires and instructions, plus individual histories of each census.

Historical Statistics of the U.S. - Contains statistical abstracts from Colonial Times to 1970

Immigration Statistics - Department of Homeland Security.

Minnesota Population Center

IPUMS-CPS provides integrated data and documentation from the March Current Population Survey (CPS) from 1962 to 2006.

 

IPUMS International-census microdata samples from 1960 to the present. At this time, the series includes eighty samples drawn from twenty-six countries- more scheduled for the future.

 

IPUMS-USA  integrated series of representative samples drawn from the U.S. censuses of the period from 1850 to 2000. IPUMS-USA also includes American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2000 to 2005.

2006 Statistical Abstract-Information Desk C 3.134:  )

United States Census Bureau-Census 2000, American Fact Finder, Population Clocks, and more!

Veteran Data and Information- From the Department of Veterans Affairs

Education

 

The Learning Web: K-12 Education

A USGS web site with information for K-12 educators.

 

National Council for Geographic Education

Promotes the status and quality in geography teaching and learning. 

Government

Cascades Volcano Observatory

Links to diverse information on volcanoes.

Earth Science Information Center (ESIC)

Links to USGS products and services.

 

Earthquake Information

USGS site with links to the newest information on earthquakes, emergency preparedness, etc.

 

EROS Data Center Home Page

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center, or the EDC collects and distributes data. This web site provides access to this ever growing base of earth science information -- the world's largest.

GeoCommunicator

GeoCommunicator is the publication site for the Bureau of Land Management's National Integrated Land System (NILS). GeoCommunicator facilitates the sharing of geographic data among federal, state, local, and private individuals and organizations interested in providing the public with national data sets. GeoCommunicator provides a central site for the distribution of geospatial data in three separate applications: Land and Mineral Use Records, Federal Land Stewardship and Land Survey Information System.
 

Landsat

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

The NGA provides timely, relevant, and accurate geospatial intelligence, the gathering and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth, in support of national security objectives.

National Marine and Coastal Geology Program

A USGS site that investigates geologic issues of coastal and marine areas looking specifically at Environmental Quality and Preservation, Natural Hazards and Public Safety, Natural Resources, and Earth-Sciences Information and Technology.

 

National Water Conditions

Information on the status of the nation's water resources.

 

U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Services and Information

A source for social, demographic, and economic information.

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center

Provides worldwide users with reliable navigation signals, timely operational status, general navigation, and other information.

 

U.S. GeoData-File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Access

FTP access to GeoData is possible at this site.

 

U.S. Geological Survey Home Page

The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. This link provides access to news releases, educational programs, etc.

 

U.S. National Ocean Service (NOS)

The main page of the NOS with links to other NOS pages.

 

Water Resources of the United States

A USGS site with links to information on national water resources.

 

 

Maps/Cartography

American Memory: Map Collections

A digital map collection of historical maps in the Library of Congress. (Library of Congress Geography and Map Reading Room)

 

Census Bureau Geography

CIA World Fact Book

DMOZ - Open Directory Project

EPA EnviroMapper®

GeoCommunicator

GeoCommunicator is the publication site for the Bureau of Land Management's National Integrated Land System (NILS). GeoCommunicator provides a central site for the distribution of geospatial data in three separate applications: Land and Mineral Use Records, Federal Land Stewardship and Land Survey Information System.

GeoData.gov

A one-stop portal to federal, state, and local geographic information including maps and geospatial data

GeoNames

Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names Online

Google Earth and Google Maps

Google Earth requires a download (free) and certain system requirements.

Historical Map and Chart Collection

The digital version of the Office of Coast Survey's collection of historical maps.

HUD - Enterprise Geographic Information System

Library of Congress Geography and Map Reading Room

Linda Hall Library Star Atlases

Map & Geographical Center

Includes access to geo-spatial data, exhibits and historic maps, reference aids, and web links.

 

Map History/History of Cartography: The Gateway to the Subject

A subject guide compiled by Tony Campbell, Map Librarian, The British Library, London.

 

MapMachine

A free  searchable map source available from National Geographic.

 

Mapquest

A commercial site that provides free access to online, interactive maps and driving directions.

MapServer-Originally developed by the University of Minnesota ForNet project in cooperation with NASA and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Beyond browsing GIS data, MapServer allows you create "geographic image maps", that is, maps that can direct users to content.

multimap.com

A European road and street map source that includes the United States.

NationalAtlas.gov

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

National Wetlands Inventory Maps

NIMA

NOAA, Office of Coast Survey - Navigational Charts

NOAA, National Ocean Service - Data Explorer

Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection

The University of Texas Austin features a general collection of over 250,000 maps covering all areas of the world with more than 5000 available online.

Terraserver

Online access to aerial photographs, primarily of locations in the United States.

Topographic Map Symbols-USGS

Color pamphlet of map symbols in .pdf file available online.

TopoZone

A searchable site featuring USGS topographic maps, orthophotomaps and aerial photographs.

United Nations Cartographic Section

University of Chicago Map Collection

USA.gov Reference Center Maps

USDA, NRCS – Web Soil Survey

USGS – Astrogeology Research Program

USGS Map Locator & Downloader

Free downloadable topographic maps

USGS Maps, Imagery, and Publications

USGS Map Store

Reference

Ancient World Web

Provides links to sites about the ancient world (before 700 AD) including geographical information.

Association for Geographic Information GIS Dictionary

Online dictionary of over 980 GIS terms including definitions and supplemental diagrams. The site is currently under development.

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

Created by Philip Hoehn (David Rumsey Collection) and Mary Lynette Larsgaard (Map & Imagery Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara Library).  Designed by John Creaser (Earth Sciences & Map Library, University of California, Berkeley) This dictionary decodes abbreviations and acronyms found in various publications including maps and websites.

 

Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)

Contains information about almost 2 million physical and cultural geographic features in the United States.

 

Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN)

A structured vocabulary developed primarily for the field of art history, but with the potential for wide applications in related disciplines such as archeology, history, and geography.

 

Island Directory

The United Nations Environment Programme provides a directory of islands including geographic, ecological, economic, social and human impact data for nearly 2,000 islands.

 

National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA): GEOnet Names Server (GNS)

Access to the National Imagery and Mapping Agency's (NIMA) database of foreign geographic feature names.

CIA World Factbook

Provides demographic, government, military, and economic information for nations of the world recognized by the United States.

Research

Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies

CAST focuses on research, technology transfer, data development, undergraduate and graduate education, service to communities and local governments, and professional training in GIS and related technologies.

 

Digital Library for Earth System Education

Funded by the National Science Foundation, this site provides access to an extensive collection of  educational resources in the geosciences for all academic levels.

Geospatial and Statistical Data Center

This site gives access to an extensive collections of numeric and geospatial data files, computing facilities and software for data manipulation, research, and instruction; and a suite of Internet-accessible data extraction tools.

 

Home Town Locator: Gazetteer

The Gazetteer, linked from HomeTownLocator.com, is a comprehensive U.S. gazetteer. Data is derived from the US Geological Survey, Census Bureau, and the National Weather Service on the physical, cultural, and demographic features for over 177,000 populated locales.

   

Internet Geography Information

Links to state, national, and international geography information.

National Geographic Online

This site for the National Geographic Society includes photos, maps, globes, magazines, worldwide expeditions, travel tips, vacation planning, and more.

OAIster

A project of the University of Michigan Digital Library Production Services, originally funded through a Mellon grant whose goal is to create a collection of free online easily searchable academically-oriented digital resources.

Technology Transfer Information

This is the site of the Technology Enterprise Office, an organization that provides a link between the various research organizations within USGS and individuals or organizations in the private sector interested in access to USGS technology through patent licensing, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) or other types of cooperative arrangements.

 

WorldWideScience.Org

Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the British Library, WorldWideScience.org is a global science gateway providing access to national and international scientific databases.

 

Xpeditions

Discover nearly 1,800 ways to see and print the world.