Geographical Sources LIS 205 Spring 2004 Dr. Nancy J. Becker LIS 205 Spring 2004 Dr. Nancy J. Becker

Geographical Sources Types –Maps and atlases –Gazetteers –Guidebooks Use –Ready reference –Research Environmental analyses Historical studies Types –Maps and atlases –Gazetteers –Guidebooks Use –Ready reference –Research Environmental analyses Historical studies

Maps and Atlases Maps –Graphic representation on a flat surface of certain boundaries of the earth, as well as the moon, the planets and the solar system Atlases –Systematic collection of maps Maps –Graphic representation on a flat surface of certain boundaries of the earth, as well as the moon, the planets and the solar system Atlases –Systematic collection of maps

Types of Maps Thematic –Serves a special purpose or theme, e.g., historical, economic, etc. Topographic –Represents the exact physical configuration of an area Physical –Shows features and the nature of the earth’s surface, atmosphere and climate, distribution of plant life, etc. Thematic –Serves a special purpose or theme, e.g., historical, economic, etc. Topographic –Represents the exact physical configuration of an area Physical –Shows features and the nature of the earth’s surface, atmosphere and climate, distribution of plant life, etc.

Types of Maps Political –Shows political boundaries, e.g., towns, cities, counties, and states Index –Shows the total geographic coverage encompassed by a set or series of maps Political –Shows political boundaries, e.g., towns, cities, counties, and states Index –Shows the total geographic coverage encompassed by a set or series of maps

Cartography Definition: Art of map-making Major goal & headache: Achieving an accurate representation Major source of maps and mapping information: US Government Key publishers: Oxford University Press, Rand McNally, C.S. Hammond, Baedeker Definition: Art of map-making Major goal & headache: Achieving an accurate representation Major source of maps and mapping information: US Government Key publishers: Oxford University Press, Rand McNally, C.S. Hammond, Baedeker

Evaluation of Maps/Atlases Authority Currency (changing names) Revision policy Encyclopedia information Nationalism Authority Currency (changing names) Revision policy Encyclopedia information Nationalism Topical approaches Balance/content Quality of maps Scale and projection Topographical representation Format Topical approaches Balance/content Quality of maps Scale and projection Topographical representation Format

Evaluation of Maps/Atlases Vernacular vs. language of the country of publication (Florence vs. Firenze) Transliteration of names (Zhriev, Zchriev) Vernacular vs. language of the country of publication (Florence vs. Firenze) Transliteration of names (Zhriev, Zchriev) Place name control Location of small towns Statistical data Subject access Place name control Location of small towns Statistical data Subject access

Collecting Maps Selection Acquisition Access Storage Selection Acquisition Access Storage

Geographic Information System What is GIS? In the strictist sense, A GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their locations. (U.S.G.S.) USGS Geographic Information Systems Your Internet Guide to Geographic Information Systems What is GIS? In the strictist sense, A GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their locations. (U.S.G.S.) USGS Geographic Information Systems Your Internet Guide to Geographic Information Systems

Gazetteers Geographical dictionaries, usually of place names Some atlases include gazetteers Useful for both descriptive and locational information Geographical dictionaries, usually of place names Some atlases include gazetteers Useful for both descriptive and locational information

Guidebooks Provide basic information useful to travelers about a place –Popular guides, e.g., Fodor’s –Aimed at a particular audience, e.g., Let’s Go Europe –Specialized, e.g., guides to museums –Literary/armchair travel Provide basic information useful to travelers about a place –Popular guides, e.g., Fodor’s –Aimed at a particular audience, e.g., Let’s Go Europe –Specialized, e.g., guides to museums –Literary/armchair travel

Online Geographic Resources Periodical Historical Atlas of Europe OSSHE Hiostorical & Cultural Atlas Geography IQ World Atlas Library of Congress Map Collection Periodical Historical Atlas of Europe OSSHE Hiostorical & Cultural Atlas Geography IQ World Atlas Library of Congress Map Collection

More Online Geographic Sources University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technology Map Machine U.S. Geological Survey Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technology Map Machine U.S. Geological Survey Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection