The National Map, a proposed initiative from the US Geological Survey, provides a vision "that by the year 2010, working with partners, [it] will provide the Nation with current, accurate, and nationally consistent basic spatial data, including digital data and derived topographic maps." Although the deadline is past for public comment on the proposal, the initiative warrants close watching as it develops further. A final report and fact sheets are available.
The National Atlas of the United States is an ongoing project from the USGS and agency partners to update the 1970 bound National Atlas. In allows a user to interactively create maps online and to download digital mapping data. There are also some unbound paper maps produced through the program.
Maps
Government Agencies
United States Federal Agencies
- Bureau of Land Management
- Geospatial Information Center: GIS data (mostly not current) and utilities.
- Land Patent Records Site: information on earliest registered owner of formerly public lands
- General Land Office (GLO) Survey Plats: A guide, compiled by State Library of Illinois, to location of original or film copies of GLO plats (they are not online)
- Census Bureau Geographic Programs
- Central Intelligence Agency
Their Maps & Publications page. - Environmental Protection Agency
Includes Geospatial Data Clearinghouse. Watershed data (data based on hydrologic units) at EPA's Surf Your Watershed web site. - Federal Aviation Administration: National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO)
This is the office that sells NOS and NIMA charts, both aeronautical and nautical, to the public. - Forest Service Geospatial Service and Technology Center (GSTC)
They now list only an email address that you can use to get more information about paper and digital products produced by the Forest Service.
The US Geological Survey is beginning to sell Forest Service recreational maps. Not all are yet available. Go to "Enter USGS Store" and click on "U.S. Forest Service Maps" under "By Type" in the left column.
Geological Survey (USGS) Also from the USGS:
- U.S. National Mapping Information.
A guide to U.S. government mapping information. Among other things, leads to online USGS map lists and ordering information from the online "USGS Store." - EROS Data Center
Information on printed maps, photographic prints, and a wide variety of digital data for sale through the USGS's Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center (EDC) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. - US GeoData
Links to free data for Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Digital Line Graph (DLG), and Land Use/Land Cover (LULC), which are in a variety of digital formats. Also links to free basic software for translation or display of some of these formats. - Global Land Information System (GLIS)
Leads to information about USGS digital data. - National Geospatial Programs Office (NGPO)
The USGS office that coordinates its National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) initiatives.
- U.S. National Mapping Information.
- National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse (NGDC)
The clearinghouse has been developed to provide information on the availability of digital geospatial data. You can browse a list of registered Clearinghouse Server Nodes from all over the world. - National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)
This is a set of policies, standards, and procedures intended to foster more efficient use, management, and production of geospatial data. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) acts as the lead organization in the development of the NSDI, with the responsibility to coordinate various surveying, mapping, and spatial data activities of federal agencies and overseeing the - National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Incorporates the former National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), previously known as the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA), previouly the Army Topographic Command, and previously the Army Map Service (AMS).
- NSDI Clearinghouse Network
You can browse a list of registered Clearinghouse Server Nodes from all over the world. - The public can purchase NIMA charts from FAA's National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO).
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Aeronautical Charting and Cartography (AC&C): Has changed to the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Sells NOS and NIMA charts, both aeronautical and nautical, to the public.
- NOS Data Explorer from the National Ocean Service
Provides access to primary NOS imagery and data holdings for coastal photography, nautical charts, historical maps, coastal survey maps, environmental sensitivity index maps, hydrographic surveys, water level stations, estuarine bathymetry, and geodetic control points. Many of the data and images are available for free online. - Coast Survey of the National Ocean Service (Nautical Charts)
- Historical Map and Chart Collection from the Office of Coast Survey
- Reed's Almanac: Commercial site with links to information about paper and digital nautical charts and navigation aids.
- National Geophysical Data Center
Information on lots of environmental data. - State Department International Travel page
Includes current travel warnings by country.
State Mapping Agencies in the United States
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North Carolina:
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Division of Water Quality of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Maps
This page leads to various online maps, including river basin maps. -
Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (CGIA)
GIS data for North Carolina. -
North Carolina Geologic Survey Maps
Includes information on paper maps as well as GIS data and ordering information.
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State Geological Surveys
This list leads to geological surveys, water resource agencies, planning departments, bureaus of mines and other agencies that are involved in mapping or collecting geospatial data.
Courtesy of the Association of American State Geologists
Courtesy of the California Geological Survey
Courtesy of the UC-Berkeley Earth Sciences & Map Library
Publications and Ordering Infomation: Courtesy of the University of Illinois Geology Library
Other Countries
- Foreign Geological Surveys
Links to many national geological survey agencies, courtesy of the UC-Berkeley Earth Sciences & Map Library. - Government Cartography at Odden's Bookmarks
- Extensive list of links to government agencies that are involved in mapping or with spatial data in countries throughout the world.
- Geomatics Canada
- The national survey, mapping, and remote sensing organization of the Canadian government.
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI)
- Mexico's National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Informatics.
- Ordnance Survey
- The national mapping agency of Great Britain.
- EuroGeographics
- Coordinating body for European national mapping agencies. Includes a clickable map linking to websites of European national mapping agencies and links to web sites to other European intergovernmental mapping organizations.
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