Fall 2001

INLS 111:  INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES I

           

School of Information and Library Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

 

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SOURCES

 

 

Scope:    This guide describes the types of geographical sources available and provides some examples of the most important or representative titles of each type.  It is not intended to be a complete list of geographical reference materials.  Consult Balay’s Guide to Reference Books for a more extensive list.  Most of the atlases are found in the reference section of Davis Library or in the Map Library located on the first floor of the Wilson Library, UNC-CH.

 

I.   GUIDES TO SOURCES.

 

Campbell, John.  Map Use and Analysis, 3rd ed.  University of Wisconsin-Parkside:  WCB McGraw-Hill, 1998. [Wilson Map Room GA 151 .C25 1998]

 

                Explains and analyzes map use.

 

Cobb, David A., comp. Guide to U.S. Map Resources. 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1990. [SILS Ref., Wilson Map Room GA193 .U5C62 1990]

 

                Comprehensive information on nation’s map collections, including analysis.  Indexed by library/institution, collection strengths, and names/numbers.

 

Larsgaard, Mary L. Map Librarianship: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Englewod, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1998. [Wilson Map Room; SILS Z692 .M3L37 1998]

 

Includes information on collection development, cataloging, technical services, reference, and preservation of maps.

 

 

II.        BIBLIOGRAPHY.

 

        A.    Retrospective.

 

Encyclopedia of Geographic Information Sources, International Volume.  4th ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1988 [Davis Ref. HF5341 .E53 1988]

 

Focus is on economic and financial materials including trade directories, newsletters, and analytical reports.  Subtitle:  A Bibliographic Guide to Approximately 13,000 Citations for Publications and Organizations of Interest to Business Personnel, Covering More Than 160 Cities, Countries and Regions.

 

Geo Abstracts. Norwich, Eng.: University of East Anglia, 1972-1989. (Published 6 times a year with annual indexes).  [Geology QE501 .G47] [Davis HF1021.G42]

 

Issued in seven parts: landforms and the quaternary; climatology and hydrology; economic geography; social and historical geography; sedimentology; regional and community planning; and remote sensing, photogrammetry, and cartography.  Subject arrangement.

 

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.  Bibliography of map projections.  For sale by the Books and Open-File Reports Section, 1988.  [Geology Library QE75 .B9 no.1856].

 

Includes map projections.

 

        B.    Current.

 

Current Geographical Publications: Additions to the Research Catalogue of the American Geographical Society. Publisher varies, currently issued by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Library,  1938-  . (Monthly except July and August).  [Davis: Davis Ref. Z6009 .A47]  Row 14.

 

Classed arrangement to current books, pamphlets, government publications and periodical articles.  Subject, author, and regional indexes (except volume 1).  Since 1964, selected maps are also listed.  Publisher has varied.

 

Geobase. Elsevier Science. [Davis Ref. Electronic Resources: http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/eid/

 

                Records covering the worldwide literature on geology, geography, and ecology.  Includes the contents of the print indexes Geographical Abstracts: Human Geography and Geographical Abstracts: Physical Geography.

 

GeoRef.  American Geological Institute. [Remote Access: http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/eid/ - select GeoRef]

               

                The most comprehensive database in the geosciences, providing access to worldwide geological literature. Indexes articles from more than 3,500 journals in 40 languages; books, maps, conference papers, reports and theses.

 

III.       DICTIONARIES AND ENCYCLOPEDIAS.

 

Baker, Daniel B. Explorers and Discovers of the World. Detroit: Gale, 1993.

 

Bates, Robert L.  Glossary of Geology.  3rd ed.  Alexandria, VA:  American Geological Institute, 1987. [Geology QE5 .B38 1987]

 

Dictionary of geological terms with an English language emphasis and reflecting North American usage.

 

Clark, Audrey N. Longman Dictionary of Geography: Human and Physical. London: Longman, 1985.  [Davis Ref. G63 .C56 1985]

 

Definitions are based on the Glossary of Geographical terms.  Covers terms used over past 100 years.  Intended for students and professionals.  Does not include specific or specialized terms.

 

Mayhew, Susan. A Dictionary of Geography.  Oxford, [England]; New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.  [Davis Ref. G63 .M39 1997].

 

Dictionary of geographic terms.  Includes 5,000 definitions and cross references.  Gives an initial brief definition and then a more in-depth explanation.

 

McDonnell, Rachael. International GIS Dictionary. Cambrdige, Eng., New York: GeoInformation International; John Wiley & Sons, 1995. [Davis G70.212.M33 1995]

 

Viney, Nigel.  A Dictionary of Toponyms.  Long: Library Association, 1986.  [Davis Ref. G103.5 .V563 1986].

Compiles list of most common English-language toponyms a reader may encounter, including fictional ones.  (Dictionary and gazetteer.)

 

IV.       BIOGRAPHY.

 

Tooley, Ronald V. Tooley’s Dictionary of Mapmakers. New York: Alan R. Liss, 1979 (supplement 1985).  [Davis Ref.; Wilson Map Room GA198 .T66]

 

Provides information such as name, address, and date of published work(s) on mapmakers from ancient times to 1900.

 

V.        HANDBOOKS.

 

Background Notes   [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/]

 

Full-text and updated periodically, the U.S. State Department Background Notes on geographic entities and international organizations is now online. Organized by region and country or international organization, there’s a lot more information here than the basic statistical and geographic information located in almanacs. History, government and political conditions are discussed, as well as the economy, foreign relations and basic travel information. Also listed are principal U.S. officials and consulate officers.

 

Savageau, David, with Ralph D’Agostino. Places Rated Almanac. Millennium ed. Foster City, CA: IDG Books, 2000.  [Davis Ref. HN60 .S284 2000]

 

Ranks U.S. metropolitan areas according to climate, housing, health care and environment, crime, transportation, education, recreation, the arts, and economics.  No index.

 

The World Factbook. Washington: Central Intelligence Agency, 1981-  . (Annual). .  [M/P G122 .U56a; Health Sciences G123 .W927; [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html]

 

A product of the National Foreign Assessment Center.  Includes information on each country of the world.  Country and regional maps. The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements.

 

 

VI.       GAZETTEERS.

 

Chamber’s World Gazetteer: An A-Z of Geographical Information. 5th ed. Cambridge, Eng.: Chambers, 1988. [Davis Ref. G103.5 .C453 1988; 1990 ed.: Wilson Map Room G103.5 .C44 1990]

 

A general gazetteer with an emphasis on Great Britain.  Indicates pronunciation.  Geographical dictionary of world places and cross references.

 

Cohen, Saul B. The Columbia Gazetter of the World. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998. [UL; Maps G103.5 .C65 1998]

 

Merriam-Webster’s Geographical Dictionary 3rd ed. .Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1997. [Davis Ref. Desk G103.5 .W42 1997]

 

This completely new edition is “a comprehensive desk-sized guide to the places of the world. Its objective is to provide…essential information on spelling, pronunciation, type of feature, location…size, economy, history….”

 

Omni Gazetteer of the United States of America. Detroit, MI: Omnigrahics, 1991. [Davis Ref. E154 .O45 1990]

 

Room, Adrian. Place-name Changes 1900-1991. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1993.  [Davis Ref. G103.5 .R657 1993].

 

Cross references to previous names. Each entry gives present name, identification, location, former name(s), and year or years of renaming. Contains an appendix of official country names.

 

U.S. Gazetteer  [http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer]

 

 This Census Bureau site provides names of state, type of place, longitude, latidtude, zip code, access to a TIGER map of the area, and access to census data.

 

USGS Geographic Names Information System  [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query_form]

 

Retrieves detailed information about a specific place or point of interest in the U.S. Includes: Elevation, Population, Description, History Notes, Variant  Names, and USGS 7.5’ Map Names. Can query by Feature Name, County, State or Feature Type. Can also combine Elevation or Population (up-to-date) with State, County, or Feature Type. Includes maps from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Tiger Mapping Service. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

 

VII.     GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES AND TERMS.

 

Kane, Joseph N. The American Counties. 4th ed. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1983.  [Davis Ref. E180 .K3]

 

Subtitle: Origins of county names, dates of creation and organization, area, population including 1980 census figures, historical data, and published sources.

 

Kane, Joseph N. and Gerard L. Alexander. Nicknames and Sobriquets of U.S. Cities, States, and Counties. 3d ed. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1979.  [Davis Ref. E155 .K24 1979]

 

Sources of information are not given.

 

Kane, Joseph N., Janet Podell, and Steven Anzovin, eds. Facts About the States. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1993. [Davis Ref. E180 .K4 1993]

 

VIII.    ATLASES.

 

        A.    Guides.

 

Kister, Kenneth F. Kister’s Atlas Buying Guide: General English-language World Atlases Available in North America. Phoenix: Oryx Pr., 1984.  [Davis Ref. Desk; SILS; U.L.; Wilson Map Room Z6021 .K5 1984]

Provides detailed data and evaluation of 105 atlases.  Discusses general evaluative principles for this format. Indexed.

 

        B.    World Atlases.

 

1.     Contemporary.

 

Global Explorer: The Most Detailed World Atlas Ever.  DeLorme Mapping, Lower Main Street, P.O. Box 298, Freeport, ME  04032 [Wilson Map Room (Not catalogued)].

 

CD-ROM, Microsoft/Windows Compatible; full-color maps of the whole world; detail zoom in and out; indexed references more than 120,000 places; street maps of major world cities; detailed topographical maps of entire planet; country profiles with up-to-date economics, social, and cultural statistics; network of air routes; descriptions of 20,000 historical, cultural, and geographical features.

Goode, John Paul. Goode’s World Atlas. 18th ed. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1990.  [Davis Ref. Desk; U.L. G1021 .G6 1990]

 

A good atlas for student use including many physical and political maps.  Index indicates pronunciation.  First published in 1922 as Goode’s School Atlas.

 

Hammond Atlas of the World. Maplewood, N.J. : Hammond Incorporated, 2000.  [Davis

                 Ref. G1021 .H2665 1998 CD ROM version]

 

Mapquest. [http://www.mapquest.com]

 

                Includes interactive street guide to the U.S.

 

Maps on File. New York: Facts on File, 1981-  . (Looseleaf).  [Davis Ref.; Wilson Map Room Folio G1046 .A1M16 1981] 1980.

 

Convenient for photocopying.  Indexed; annual supplements.

 

The National Atlas of the United States  [http://nationalatlas.gov]

 

This Web site displays an interactive map of the United States allowing the user to “map more than 2 million geographic names” in a series of map layers. These map layers display airports, federal lands, urban areas, water features, parkways, rivers, railroads, roads, volcanoes and seismic events with a Zoom In/Zoom Out feature. All these map layers can be downloaded along with very detailed technical information.

 

National Geographic Society. Cartographic Division. National Geographic Atlas of the World. 7th ed. Washington, the Society, 1999.  [Davis Ref. , Law Lib. G1021.N38 1999]

 

Based on maps from National Geographic .See National Geographic’s collection of online maps, Map Machine, at: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/resources/ngo/maps/

 

Rand McNally and Co. Rand McNally Cosmopolitan World Atlas. New ed. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1995.  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1021 .R35 1995]

 

Regional breakdown of world; state-by-state maps of U.S.

 

__________. New International Atlas. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1994.  [Wilson Map Room G1021 .R363 1989; 1986 ed.: Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1021 .R2 1994]

 

This atlas uses metric measurements and uses the local native language names for features when ever possible.

 

The Times Atlas of the World.  10th comp. ed. New York: Times Books, 1999.  [Wilson Map Room Folio 2; Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1021 .J67 1999] 

 

Includes various projections and scales. Index-Gazetteer includes over 200,000 names. Includes latitude and longitude coordinates.  Uses British spelling of place names.

 

2.     Historical and Thematic.

 

The Economist Atlas.  The Shape of the World Today.  New York: Economist, 1989 [Davis Ref. G1021 .E266 1989].

 

                World and regions cover of geographic (climate, resources), economic, demographic, finance, education and environmental aspects. World maps and world encyclopedia.

Femandez, Armesto, Felipe, ed.  The Times Atlas of World Exploration:  3,000 Years of Exploring, Explorers, and Mapmaking.  New York: Harper Collins, 1991.  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1036 .T5 1991]

               

Kirdon, Michael and Ronald Segal. The State of the World Atlas. New rev. 5th ed. London; New York: Penguin, 1995. [Davis Ref. G1021 .K46 1995]

 

This atlas graphically portrays the world situation regarding a wide variety of social issues.  Topics include the environmental crisis, population growth, international debt, income inequality, discrimination against women, the spread of AIDs, and world unemployment.

 

Shepherd, William R. Historical Atlas. New York, Holt, 1911- . [Davis Ref. Desk G1030.S4]

 

This is consider the standard general historical atlas.  The 1980 edition contains all the maps from earlier editions as well as a special supplement of historical maps covering 1929-1980.

 

The Times Atlas of World History. 5th ed.  London Times Books, 1999 [Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1030 .T54 1993 4th edition]

 

                Attractive coverage of world history.  Presents “world-wide” coverage of history. Economic and social history are covered as well as political history.

 

        C.    Atlases of the United States.

 

1.     National and State.

 

Martin Greenwald Associates. State Maps on File. New York: Facts on File, 1984 --.  [Davis Ref., Wilson Map Room G1200 .F3 1984]

Great variation in maps from one state to the next.  Includes boundary and topographical data.

 

North Carolina: County Maps. Lyndon Station, WI:  County Maps, 1980.  [Davis Ref. Desk G1300 .P83 1980Z]

 

Contains interesting maps and interesting facts for each North Carolina county.

 

Rand McNally Road Atlas. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1926- . [Davis Ref. Desk G1201 .P2 R35]

 

Rand McNally Standard Highway Mileage Guide.  Chicago:  Rand McNally, 1987.  [Davis Folio 2 G110 .U5R35 1987]

 

Contains 910,575 indexes mileage between 1,350 major U.S. and Canadian cities and 124,500 highway mileage segments for computing mileage between more than 110,000 places.

 

2.     Historical and Thematic.

 

Allen, James P. and Eugene J. Turner.  We The People:  An Atlas of America’s Ethnic Diversity.  New York:  Macmillan, 1988.  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case E184 .A1A479 1988]

 

Description of ethnic diversity in the U.S. as of 1980.  Includes breakdowns for people originating from:  early North America, western Europe, northern Europe, eastern Europe, southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Middle and South America, and Asia and the Pacific.

Atlas of Demographics:  U.S. by County.  Boulder, CO:  Infomap, 1982  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1201 .E2I5 1982]

               

Figures are based on the 1980 census.  Provides “a graphical and tabular presentation at the county level of 16 statistics.”  Map of all U.S. counties.

 

Hammond Inc.  Hammond Historical Atlas of the World.  Maplewood, N.J.:  Hammond, 1984. [Davis Folio G1030 .H3203 1984]  Scales differ.

 

_________.  United States History Atlas.  Maplewood, N.J.:  Hammond, 1984 [Davis Folio G1201 .S1H33 1984]

 

Martis, Kenneth C.  The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress, 1789-1989.  New York:  Macmillan, 1989.  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1201 .F9 M26 1989] 

 

Published in celebration of bicentennial of the U.S. Congress in 1989.  It is the second of a multivolume series “designed to elucidate the geographic aspects of the U.S. Congress and American political history.”  First work in series was The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. 1789-1983.

 

Rand McNally Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide. 127th ed. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1996.  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case G1019 .R22 1989 127th ed; U.L. Ref. 126th ed.]

 

Includes breakdowns for transportation, communication, economic, and population data.  Brings economic and geographic data together.

 

        D.    Atlases of Europe.

 

Bartholomew Road Atlas. Europe. Edinburgh: John Bartholomew, 1985.  [Davis Ref. Atlas Case       G1797.21 .P2J56 1985].

 

Written in English, French, German, and Italian.  Includes country, regional, and city maps as well as a unique index.

 

Rand McNally Updated Road Atlas and City Guide of Europe.  Chicago:  Rand McNally, 1993.  [Davis G1797.21 .P2 R277 1993]

 

Includes road maps of all European countries and 18 cities; visa and tourist information, a route planner, mileage charts, a chart of international road signs, and tips for driving in Europe.

 

        E.     International:  Historical and Thematic.

 

Ardagh, John and Colin Jones.  Cultural Atlas of France.  New York: Facts on File, 1991. [Davis Ref. Folio G1844.21 .E64 A7 1991]

 

                As in the other books of this series (i.e. “Atlas of the Jewish World”), this books fills a gap between titles dealing with history and those focusing on travel.  Focuses on events in the areas of French politics and government, religion, culture, society, and the economy.

 

Historical Atlas of Africa. Cambridge, Eng.: Cambridge University Press, 1985. [Davis Ref. Atlas Case; U.L. Ref. G2446 .S1H5 1985]

 

Matthew, Donald. Atlas of Medieval Europe. Oxford, Eng.: Phaidon, 1983. [Davis Folio; Davis Ref.; U.L. Folio G1791 .M3 1983b]

                Provides many illustrations and maps and text to put them in context.  Includes a general survey of the period.

 

 

X.        TRAVEL GUIDES.

 

Good articles concerning travel guides include:

 

Crichton, Jean. “Travel USA.” Publishers Weekly 237 (May 4, 1990): 17-28.

 

Langstaff, Peggy.  “The digital traveler (electronic travel books: bibliographical essay).” Publisher’s Weekly 240 (Sept. 13, 1993): 46-7.

 

Riipa, Karole.  “A Round-up of 1993 Travel Books.” Publishers Weekly 240 (Jan. 25, 1993): 55-6+

 

There are a number of major publishers who publish travel guides on countries and regions of the worlds.  Some of these include: Fodor’s, Frommer’s, Let’s Go Budget Guides, and Michelen Guides.

 

City.Net  [http://www.city.net/]

 

Comprehensive international guide to communities around the world. Provides information on travel, entertainment, and local business, plus government and community services for all regions of the world. Directory service of Excite.

 

 Durham, Michael S. Smithsonian Guide to Historic America. New York: Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 1989-.

Series starts with 12 volumes such as The Mid-Atlantic States [U.L. F106 .D95 1989] Interesting to read even if you never travel.

 

Expedia   [http://expedia.com/]

 

Four major sections: Travel Agent, with flight, hotel and auto reservations; Maps; Resources, with a world guide, hotel directory, 10,000 links to Web sites around the world, currency converter, and weather info; and Communicate, where travelers exchange information.

 

Travelocity   [http://www.travelocity.com/]

 

Book air, car, or hotel; visit the Travel Destinations section for basic information and points of interest at destinations world-wide, and check the Points of View section for other’s views.