CSU Libraries > How Do I > Research > Maps and Geographical Information

Maps and Geographical Information

Types of Maps in the Library

Types of Map Information

• geological
• historical
• political
• demographic
• spatial

Types of Map Formats

• books
• broadsheet map (flat sheet in a drawer)
• digital (web site, CD, or DVD)

Maps in the Library Reference Area

• Two atlas stands (titles listed in GIL with LC classification)
• Shelves in the G section of Reference or F if historical US
• Two map cases of flat maps in drawers in alphabetical order. These are in big flat drawers in cabinets in the hallway between Reference and Government Documents. These drawers contain:
  • US state and city maps
  • Topographical maps
• Row of folded maps from different parts of the world in alphabetical order and notebooks of reproducible maps, including Maps on File (from Facts on File). All located on the table across from the maps in the drawers.

Sources for Finding Place Names

• Webster's Geographical Dictionary Ready Ref G103.5.W42
• Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer of the World Ref G103 .L7 [1962]
• Township atlas of the United States Ref G1201 .F7 A52
• Place names of Georgia Ref F284 .G63
• Cities, towns and Communities of GA, 1847-1962 Ref F284 .H46x
• US Board of Geographic Names Gazetteers Gov Docs D5.319+
• American Counties Main E180 .K3

Sources for Other Geographical Information

• Map Catalog Ref GA105.3 .M23 1986
• Mapping America's Past Ref G1201 .S1 C3 1996
• Historical atlas of US Congressional Districts Ref G1201 .F9 M3
• Historical Atlas of Religion in America Ref G1201 .F4 G3
• World atlas of Geology and Mineral Deposits Ref G1046 .C5 D45
• Harper Atlas of the Bible Ref G2230 .H47 1987
• Handy Book for Genealogists Ref CS47 .E9 1981
• Atlas of Georgia Archives F286 .H59
• Civil War Newspaper Maps Ref G1201 .S5 B6 1993
• Atlas of Historical Geography of the US Ref G1201 .S1 P3
• How to Lie with Maps G108.7 .M66 1996

Maps in the CSU Archives

• Sanborn fire insurance maps of Columbus, 1895-1955
• Kyle Spencer map collection

Finding Maps in Other Libraries

Use theGIL Universal Catalog to search for map holdings throughout the Georgia University System.

Use the Library of Congress Gateway to Library Catalogs to search for more map holdings throughout the United States.

Other Links

USGS - United States Geological Survey
Makes a large number of maps. Some USGS maps are digitized online. Many Geological Survey professional papers contain maps.

American Memory online project at the Library of Congress
Digitized maps from the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress. Maps from 1500-2004, indexed five ways.

GPS Information
Map Makers in the USA: essay with links to computer map makers.

Historical atlas of Georgia counties

MapQuest
Interactive map site.

Places to Buy Maps

De Lorme

Rand McNally

United States Geological Survey

CIA Maps and Publications

Great Britain Ordinance Survey

Author AZH -- April 2004
Revision and HTML Conversion EHK -- January 2005