Map Resources

Thematic maps are those with a subject theme, such as geology, vegetation, soil, or land use.

Chart is the name used for maps for air or sea navigation.

Scale:  
Large-scale maps cover smaller areas in greater detail.  Topographic maps are an example. 

Small-scale maps cover larger areas in less detail.  Maps in atlases are an example. 

The major scales in this collection are:

1:24,000 (7.5 minute).     1 inch represents a half mile.
1:50,000.                        1 inch represents .8 mile.
1:63,360.                        1 inch represents 1 mile.
1:100,000.                      1 inch represents 1.6 miles.
1:125,000.                      1 inch represents 2 miles.
1:250,000.                      1 inch represents 4 miles.
1:500,000.                      1 inch represents 8 miles.
1:1,000,000.                   1 inch represents 16 miles.

The Guide to Map Scale at The University of Arizona provides detailed explanations.

Township, range, and section terminology and details can be found in Rebecca Hylland's Topographic Map Scales and the General Land Office Grid System article.

Try the library catalog first.  If the map or map series cannot be found there, consult the listing below.

US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS:  (I19.81--I19.110)
For details consult tab on Topographic Maps.

US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGY/THEMATIC MAPS:  (I19.76 --I19.91)
For details consult tab on Geology Maps.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE MAPS: (A13)
US Forest Service
Public Lands Information Center for both Forest Service and BLM maps.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MAPS: (I19.106)
National Park Service provides A-Z online maps from park brochures.
USGS Store includes a listing of national park topographic maps.
Trails Illustrated: commercially produced up-to-date maps for most national parks.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT MAPS: (I53)
BLM Navigator interactive site for BLM land and mineral use and land survey information.

US NATIONAL ATLAS: (I19.111)
provides customized US and North American thematic maps.
National Atlas of the US  is located in the Atlas Cases; published in 1970.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY MAPS:  (PrEx3)
World FactBook provides basic country maps.

FEMA MAPS: (FEM1.209)
FEMA Map Service Center allows searching for flood maps by address.

TACTICAL PILOTAGE CHARTS: (D5.354)
For details consult tab on Topographic Maps.

DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY: (D5.326/7)
For details consult tab on Topographic Maps.

FAA SECTIONAL/TERMINAL/WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHARTS: (TD4)
Only useful for the US.  Print index found on the map cabinets in the "Catalog of Aeronautical Charts and Related Products" (TD4.81 MAP).  Also available on the Aeronautical Information Services Catalog of Products page.

US COAST AND GREAT LAKES NAVIGATION CHARTS: (C55.418)
Various "Charts and Publications" print guides are located on the map cabinets (C55.418 MAP).
Searches and orders are available through OceanGrafix. 

WORLD COASTAL CHARTS: (D5.356)
"Public Sale" print guides are located on the map cabinets at C55.440 or D5.351/2:1998/2/MAP.
An online source is the Catalog of Hydrographic Products .

CANADA TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS: (G3400's)
For details consult tab on Topographic Maps.

MEXICO TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS: (G4400's)
For details consult tab on Topographic Maps.

GREAT BRITAIN TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS: (G5740's)
For details consult tab on Topographic Maps.

SOIL SURVEY MAPS:
Soil surveys and their accompanying maps are shelved at A57.38 Doc.  Most are listed in the library catalog; ask for assistance at the Help Desk if you cannot locate a specific soil survey.  Listings of soil surveys by state and access to online surveys can be found at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey site or also as WSS.

Map Libraries:
Colorado School of Mines
University of Colorado-Boulder
Naval Postgraduate School (background on aeronautical and nautical charts)
Humboldt State University (background on aeronautical and marine/nautical charts)