Maps & Gazetteers
Collections at BYU
Most Popular Databases
- BYU Map Collections on Internet Archive
A collection of maps and atlases, selected by university personnel and library patrons, covering multiple centuries, and originating from Special Collections, and the Map Collection. Maps have been georeferenced, and include a World File for use in a GIS.
- CIA World Factbook
Provides a country-by-country listing of basic statistical and factual information. A few miscellaneous areas such as Antarctica and the West Bank are also included. Entries average two pages in length. Updated annually.
- Cyndi’s List—Maps, Gazetteers & Geographical Information
This is a directory of links to historical maps, atlases, and gazetteers. It can be searched or browsed by subject category.
- David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America cartographic history materials. Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia and Africa are also represented. The collection categories include old and antique atlas, globe, school geography, maritime chart, state, county, city, pocket, wall, children and manuscript maps. Genealogy and family history can be studied on the maps.
- Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Searches for geographic features and places in the United States and its territories. Displays maps of the places found.
- Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Provided by the Getty Research Institute. Numerous gazetteers and geographical reference books were used to compile the thesaurus.
- Index of Atlases and Gazetteers in the Harold B. Lee Library: Online Version
Index of Atlases and Gazetteers in the HBLL (pdf)
- The National Geologic Map Database
A database containing USGS and AASG generated maps from the individual states. Searchable by title, author, or map interface.
- Old Maps Online
The OldMapsOnline Portal is an easy-to-use gateway to historical maps in libraries around the world. It allows the user to search for online digital historical maps across numerous different collections via a geographical search. Search by typing a place-name or by clicking in the map window, and narrow by date. The search results provide a direct link to the map image on the website of the host institution.
- Places in the News
From the Library of Congress, Places in the News displays mostly CIA maps with a brief synopsis of current events worldwide.
- USGS Historical Topographic Maps
For more than 125 years, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps have accurately portrayed the complex geography of the Nation. Because historical maps are stored in a limited number of collections and are not readily available, the USGS is converting these historical printed topographic quadrangles to an electronic format (GeoPDF). This scanning and processing effort serves to make the maps available for viewing and download.