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Research Links
The following is a listing of print and electronic resources which would hopefully prove useful to anyone undertaking map research. It is a highly selective list and certainly not intended to be complete or definitive. The world of cartographic information in all its formats is much more extensive than one can imagine. Therefore, these “research links” are only an ever-so-brief presentation of what this compiler feels are the more interesting and beneficial resources for the researcher. Hopefully, each reference will inspire further investigations. In regards to the suggested electronic sources, all websites are subject to additions and deletions as appropriate. Simply stated, newer pages will be added if useful; no longer active sites will, of course, be deleted.
Recommended Print Resources
Texts
Bibliography of useful resources available in Albertsons Library; includes general reference materials as well as indexes
Electronic Resources
Cartographic and Geographic Information
User-friendly version of the USGS's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS); developed by Yale Peabody Museum, this index of all fifty states allows a search by place/feature name with results expressed in coordinates and topographic quadrangle location name; a specific search for Canadian names is available through Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC); for foreign locations, one may want to do a geographic name search through the database developed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Oddens' Bookmarks
Comprehensive electronic gateway, headquartered at Universiteit Utrecht to the world of maps, including weblinks to such areas as atlases, map dealers, gazetteers, map libraries, and map collections; an excellent starting place for a serious exploration of cartographic materials.
Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection
Although devoted primarily to the map collection at University of Texas at Austin, this website compares in some ways to Oddens; provides links to full images of maps (international, national, states, city, etc.); also offers extras such as Glossary of Cartographic Terms, Maps on Websites, and a selected listing of Map Dealers
Scale Calculator
Convenient working tool for determining any measurements for maps; includes American standard, metric, and various miscellaneous conversions
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Established in 1879, USGS offers a wealth of information on a variety of topics associated with natural science; most importantly, provides access to cartographic-related materials, especially the agency's topographic maps series as well as geospatial data
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Basics of GIS
An interesting website developed by ESRI, providing information on GIS fundamentals and answers to such questions as "What is GIS?", "Why use GIS?", and "What can you do with GIS?"; also, you may wish to visit GIS Lounge which offers information on a variety of topics concerned with GIS including dictionaries and careers
Dictionary of GIS
Basic dictionary of terms used with Geographic Information Systems, compiled by the Association for Geographic Information and the Department of Geography at the University of Edinburgh; a listing of abbreviations applicable not only to GIS but also the general field of cartography and remote sensing is available through the University of California at Berkeley
GIS Data
A link to the USGS site which is just one of many sources of GIS data available on the Internet; be careful, not all data is free and some fees may be charged; other suggestions for data are National Atlas of the United States and "Starting the Hunt" at the University of Arkansas; Idaho data is available through INSIDE Idaho (Interactive Numeric and Spatial Information Data Engine) at the University of Idaho as well as various governmental agencies such as the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Idaho Department of Lands
Idaho Resources
Digital Atlas of Idaho
Explores the natural history of Idaho through maps, photographs, and text
Idaho Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
Contains 1,192 computer generated aerial panoramas that show all areas of the state. These "photorealistic aerial views" were created by Dr. William A. Bowen, professor emeritus of the Department of Geography at California State University Northridge. Idaho is only one of several state atlases in The Electronic Map Library. Other aerial atlases of the Pacific Northwest include Oregon, Washington, and western Montana.
Idaho Numeric & Spatial Information Data Engine
Known as INSIDE Idaho, this site at the University of Idaho serves as a clearinghouse for statewide geospatial data
Idaho Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970
(off-campus access only to faculty, staff, and students of Boise State University)
Historical perspective of Idaho municipalities through Sanborn fire insurance maps
State of Idaho
A link to Idaho's governmental agencies, many of which provide information in print and digital format; more specifically, one might consult individual agencies such as Idaho Geological Survey, Idaho Department of Lands, and Idaho Department of Water Resources
Interactive Maps
Color Landform Atlas of the United States
Interesting site with links by state name to menu of maps and other information on each of the fifty states
Historic Maps
Primary emphasis of this website is "Americana and Cartographic Treasures of the Library of Congress"; provides an intriguing glimpse of history through the digitalization of original maps; other interesting sites among many are the rare map collection at University of Georgia, historical maps at University of Texas at Austin, and the David Rumsey Collection
Available through USGS, this index lists 60,000 bibliographic citations to the agency's series publications, many of which contain cartographic materials; interactively, however, provides online access to aerial photographs, digital maps and data, and various other types of maps (topographic, thematic, etc.); also, Publications Warehouse is a gateway to the standard sites (Terraserver, TopoZone, GlobeXplorer, Maptech MapServer, and others) where one can view USGS maps and aerial photographs on the Web