Digital Maps: Get Started

This guide is a great place to start. 

• If you are looking for maps on a particular theme, including geologic, topographic, environmental, or political maps, try the By Topic page.
• If you're browsing for a map and haven't settled on a theme, check out the resources on the Multidisciplinary page.
• For tips on searching for digital maps, go to the Search page.
• Find out how to cite maps in your work on the Cite page.

• Topographic Maps: Maps that has contour lines to show relief and other natural features.

  

• Thematic Maps: Maps that show information on a topic, such as this map showing ocean currents and sea ice.

  

• Planimetric Maps: Maps showing only horizontal features; these maps do not show relief.

  

• Base Maps / Reference Maps: Basic maps on which information may be placed to show a geographic relationship or correlation.

  

Please visit the Perry-Castañeda Library's Glossary of Cartographic Terms for more information on map-related terminology.