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Frankly, nothing beats paper maps for image quality (scanned map images are usually as small and low-resolution as possible so they will download faster), size (most people don't have computer monitors as big as the average map), and coverage (there are still many paper maps that can't be found online). But sometimes only a digital image, or digital data, will do.
Below is a list of websites that can help get you started. For more information on specific themes or types of maps, check our Cartographic Resources page.
Web
Resources by Geographic Area (University of Washington)
This page shows all the map-related web resources chosen by the Map
Collection librarians. Start here to find online maps and other cartographic
resources of particular interest to the University of Washington community.
Odden's Bookmarks
This searchable web database contains (as of April 2004) over 22,000
web pages about "the fascinating world of maps and mapping."
Early
Washington Maps: A Digital Collection
This site was created jointly by Washington State University and University
of Washington librarians to hold almost 1,000 digital scans of historic
Washington State maps, including topographic maps and T-sheets.
The David
Rumsey Historical Map Collection
David Rumsey is a private collector of rare historic maps who has created
an online database of scanned maps for public use. "The David Rumsey
Historical Map Collection has over 10,000 maps online. The collection
focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America maps and
other cartographic materials. Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia
and Africa are also represented." The images can be viewed and
downloaded in unusually high detail.
Library
of Congress Map Collections: 1544 - 2004 online
Although the Library of Congress has converted only a small fraction
of its huge cartographic holdings to digital form, it is still an impressive
collection. Themes include cities and towns, conservation, military
battles, etc. Browse for maps by geographic region, subject, creator,
title, or keyword. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be possible
to search by date range.
The
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection (University of
Texas at Austin)
This site has many scanned CIA maps, including a number of thematic
maps concerning vegetation, religion, population, etc. Browse for maps
by geographic region.
National
Atlas of the United States
This is an updated version of the printed atlas which was published
in 1970. The online version uses GIS, Shockwave, and other tools to
provide interactive maps and data online which can also be downloaded
for personal use.
National Atlas of Canada
This website is the sixth edition of Canada's National Atlas, providing
interactive maps and data with a wide variety of themes. Also on the
site are scanned versions of the previous 5 editions of the atlas, going
back to its origins in 1906.
United Nations Cartographic Section
Includes links to country profile maps, thematic maps, DPKO (Department
of Peacekeeping Operations) maps, the UN Map Library, and others.
The best type of map to use if you need a small map of a single country on a standard-sized sheet of paper is a base, or outline, map, so called because they contain basic visible surface features and boundaries, and the most prominent feature is the outline of the country's political boundaries. The easiest base maps to use are CIA maps, which can be used without violating copyright.
The University of Texas at Austin's Perry Castañeda Library Map Collection has many scanned copies of CIA maps that are of better quality than those available on the CIA's website.
Our Base or Outline Maps page lists other base map resources available in the Map Collection.
Our Historic Maps page contains the most thorough information about the Map Collection's older maps. However, Special Collections is the place to find the UW Libraries' oldest maps. See the information below about Special Collections' Kroll, Metsker, Sanborn, and cadastral atlases and maps for the most frequently used historic materials for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
Where: The University of Washington's Special Collections Reference Folio section. Please ask Special Collections staff for assistance.
What: Kroll atlases contain detailed parcel maps that show property lines, tax lot numbers, public parks, utility information, plat names, and many other features. The Kroll Map Company has a graphic which details all of the features depicted on Kroll maps and atlases.
Where: The University of Washington's Special Collections Reference Folio section. Special Collections has a list of the Metsker atlases in its holdings. Please ask Special Collections staff for assistance.
What: "These atlases are the most complete collection of data of the county. Each page is a township map covering approximately 36 square miles. Scales vary from 2" to the mile with most counties and 4" to the mile for others in congested areas (1/4 townships). Most atlases do not show complete county coverage due to government holdings, national forest and parks, wilderness areas etc. Property names are provided for owners of five acres or more plus showing smaller lots and plats as well." (Source: Metsker Maps.)
Where:
Microform and Newspaper
Collections
Washington: Microfilm A7766, Microfilm A9645; Oregon: Microfilm A9644;
Idaho: Microfilm A9643; Alaska: Microfilm A9642
Please ask Microform and Newspaper Collections staff for assistance.
What: "The Sanborn map collection consists of a uniform series of large-scale maps, dating from 1867 to the present and depicting the commercial, industrial, and residential sections of some twelve thousand cities and towns in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The maps were designed to assist fire insurance agents in determining the degree of hazard associated with a particular property and therefore show the size, shape, and construction of dwellings, commercial buildings, and factories as well as fire walls, locations of windows and doors, sprinkler systems, and types of roofs. The maps also indicate widths and names of streets, property boundaries, building use, and house and block numbers. They show the locations of water mains, giving their dimensions, and of fire alarm boxes and hydrants. Sanborn maps are thus an unrivaled source of information about the structure and use of buildings in American cities." (Source: UC Berkeley's Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps page.)
Where:
Maps Media, G4281.B5
1927 W27 (CD-ROMs contain maps only)
Microforms Newspapers
Division, Microfiche M-3066 (maps and field notes)
What: A cadaster is a public record, survey, or map of the value, extent, and ownership of land as a basis of taxation. Cadastral surveys began in 1851 for the Washington and Oregon areas. They were done by the General Land Office as part of the Federal Public Land Survey System. The microfiche set contains original plat maps that show legal boundary descriptions, and shows terrain and landmarks, such as trees and cabins. This brochure explains more about the history of the Cadastral Survey.
How to use the microfiche collection:
To use the CD-ROM (scanned maps only), know the township(s) and range(s) for your area of interest. Again, the Map Collection has maps to help determine the township and range for your area.
The Washington State Geospatial Data Archive (WAGDA) includes data for King County, City of Seattle, Washington geology, Washington digital elevation models (DEMs) and digital line graphs (DLGs). Some of this data is restricted to use by UW students, faculty, and staff. These data sets are clearly marked as UW restricted.
The WAGDA list of counties includes contact information for Washington counties' GIS departments, links to the GIS Data Depot, and the United States Census website. Some data on this page is restricted to use by UW students, faculty, and staff. These data sets are clearly marked as UW restricted.
We have aerial photography covering much of Washington State at various scales (levels of detail). Use the Aerial Photo Project Tool to determine if a trip to the Map Collection to view aerial photos is worthwhile (disclaimer). The aerial photographs themselves are not available online. For more information, consult our Aerial Photography/Remote-Sensing Imagery page.
We only collect aerial photography for Washington State. For websites covering other parts of the country or the world, consult the Frequently Used Resources section of our Aerial Photography/Remote-Sensing Imagery page.
The United States Geological Survey has a map that documents the historic changes of the Duwamish and other nearby water features. This map is filed in the Vertical Files -- consult the floor plan of the Map Collection. The call number is USGS HA-617.
The Map Collection has two kinds of maps that are excellent for hiking, both of which can be checked out. The first is USGS 7.5 minute quads (that is, United States Geological Survey 1:24,000 quadrangles). Find out more about these maps on the Topographic Maps page. The second is Green Trails maps, described below.
A standard Green Trails Map covers the same area as 4 USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles and provides clear, compact, and current information about trails and other recreational features in a convenient size and scale. These maps are 12" x 18" and include 15 minutes of coverage at 1:69,500.
The Map Collection has a set of Green Trails maps for Washington and Oregon which can be checked out. They are located with their index in the Vertical Files under the call number WA Green Trails. Green Trails Maps are also widely available at retail outlets selling either recreational equipment or maps. For more information about these maps or where to find them, visit the Green Trails Maps website.
"T-sheets" is the informal name for Historic Topographic Survey Sheets (produced by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey). The Map Collection has a set of T-sheets for the San Juan Islands, available on CD-ROM (call number: G4282.S34 188- .U5 2000) and on the Early Washington Maps website. We also have a set for Hood Canal on CD-ROM (call number: G4282.H65 1884 .U5).
The Map Collection cannot meet every need, but we can help you find what you need elsewhere. Please email us at maplib@u.washington.edu for a list of other libraries which might have what you are looking for.