| Geography
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Atlases,
maps and gazetteers are reference works that contain information on a
wide variety of subjects in a graphic format. In CSM Library, most of
the atlases are located in cases to the right of the Reference Desk. Ask
the Reference Librarian to help you with locating specific maps.
Definitions
Map:
A representation, usually flat, of part or all of the earth or a celestial
body
Physical
map: traces the features of the land
Route map: traces roads, railroads, bridges, etc.
Thematic map: gives information on almost any subject
relating to location
Atlas:
A collection of maps bound as a volume.
Chart:
A map of bodies of water.
Gazetteer:
A book giving names and descriptions of places in alphabetical order;
a geographical dictionary. It may also, or only, give latitude and longitude.
Atlases
and Gazetteers
Print Magazine
National
Geographic
Check
for online availability
Browse
online geography journals
Online
Library Databases
CountryWatch
[on-campus login]
[off-campus login]
Up-to-date news and information on the countries of the world.
SIRS:
Knowledge Source
[on-campus login]
[off-campus login]
SIRS is a general reference database with thousands of full-text articles
exploring social, scientific, health, historic, economic, business, political
and global issues.
U.S.
Immigration and Migration Reference Library
Chronicles and interprets immigration to the United States from the earliest
times to the present, including causes of immigration, profiles of prominent
and lesser-known immigrants, and key documents.
Internet
Resources
BBC
News: Country Profiles
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm
A guide to the history, politics and economic background of countries
and territories, plus background on key institutions. Includes audio and
video clips from the BBC archives.
Country
Background Notes
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn
Facts about foreign countries, including their land, people, history,
government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations. Published
by the U.S. Department of State and updated frequently.
The
Economist: Country Briefings
http://www.economist.com/countries
Includes a range of intelligence, analysis and news on 60 countries. Each
briefing features a detailed background profile from the Economist Intelligence
Unit (EIU), a political and economic forecast from the EIU, articles from
The Economist, a currency converter, stock-market information, and newswires.
Google
Maps
http://maps.google.com
Provides directions, interactive maps, and satellite imagery of the United
States and many other countries.
National
Geographic
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/index.html
Provides free maps, photos, videos and daily news stories, as well as
articles and features about animals, the environment, cultures, history,
world music and travel.
Portals
to the World
http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html
Contains selective links from the Library of Congress providing authoritative,
in-depth information about countries and areas of the world.
World
Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
A frequently updated publication of the CIA covering countries of the
world. Includes facts about each country's geography, people, government,
economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
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