Research Guides: Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Home

"A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system used to capture, manage and display geographically referenced information. GIS provides the ability to: visualize where places or features are in proximity to each other, observe patterns in their distribution, and analyze change and relationships in the form of maps and reports." DataLB

GIS (ESRI)
"A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Rooted in the science of geography, GIS integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes. With this unique capability, GIS reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions..."

Natural Earth Data

Natural Earth Data
"Natural Earth is a public domain map dataset available at 1:10m, 1:50m, and 1:110 million scales. Featuring tightly integrated vector and raster data, with Natural Earth you can make a variety of visually pleasing, well-crafted maps with cartography or GIS software."

David Ramsey Collection (Stanford)

Stanford's David Rumsey Map Center
The David Rumsey Map Center is a collections-based resource designed to provide access to cartographic information in all of its forms, from paper to digital

East View's LandScan Global Population Database*

LandScan Global Population Database* | 2000-current

ArcGIS Free. ESRI
With a public account you can create, store, and manage maps, scenes, layers, apps, and other geospatial content.
Share content with others. Access content shared by Esri and GIS users around the world.

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Create a public account.for free access. Create, store, and manage maps, scenes, layers, apps, and other geospatial content.
Google Earth
Fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings and even explore galaxies in the Sky. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places and share with others.

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Google Earth 5.0
Google Maps
Provides directions, interactive maps, and satellite aerial imagery of the United States. On May 25, 2007, Google released Street View, which provides 360° panoramic street-level views of various U.S. cities.

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Free web mapping service application and technology that powers many map-based services. It offers street maps, a route planner, and an urban business locator for countries around the world. A related product is Google Earth, a standalone program for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux which offers enhanced globe-viewing features.
MapED
MapED provides geographic context to NCES, Census, and other education demographic datasets.
National Map (USGS)
The National Map, the USGS' online, interactive map service. You can view The National Map by using your Web browser (no special software or download required).

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"The National Map is a consistent framework for geographic knowledge needed by the Nation. It provides public access to high-quality, geospatial data and information from multiple partners to help support decisionmaking by resource managers and the public. The National Map is the product of a consortium of Federal, State, and local partners who provide geospatial data to enhance America's ability to access, integrate, and apply geospatial data at global, national, and local scales..."
PolicyMap*
Online U.S. national data and mapping tool and analytics platform with multidisciplinary applications.
SimplyAnalytics*
SimplyAnalytics is a web-based mapping application that lets users quickly create professional-quality thematic maps and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States.
SocialExplorer
Social Explorer provides easy-to-use tools for visual exploration of demographic information, from census and economic data to election and religion data, and more. With these interactive online tools, users can visually explore change over time and understand the patterns behind the raw numbers.
Terraserver-USA (Microsoft)
The TerraServer-USA Web site is one of the world's largest online databases, providing free public access to a vast data store of maps and aerial photographs of the United States.

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You can easily navigate the enormous amount of information in TerraServer by selecting a location on a map or entering a place name. And now, a new Web service--called TerraServer.NET--enables Web developers to easily integrate TerraServer data into their own applications.