Guide to Geography Resources

Online Maps and Data

• ESRI Geography Network
• GeoData.gov
• Library of Congress Map Collections
• NationalAtlas.gov MapMaker
• National Geographic Xpeditions Atlas
• US Census Bureau Maps and Cartographic Resources
• USGS Earth Explorer
• National Wetlands Inventory

Additional Resources

• Digital GIS Data (Univ of Stanford)
• Geospatial and Attribute Links (Univ of Arksansas)

Maps at Kellogg Library
Search MAPS as "Material Type"

 

These research databases include geography related research.

See an article you want in one of these databases?

1. Look for "Full Text" in PDF, HTML, Linked or  
2. Fill out an Interlibrary Loan article request form. Free, takes about 1 week.
3. Any time you need help, ask a librarian.

Books will provide a better overview of an issue than articles. Use bibliographies to find additional sources.

Search the Library Catalog for books at CSUSM. The Circuit delivers books from local libraries to our Check Out Desk in 1-2 days. 

 

Books on a few geography related subjects:

• Agricultural geography
• Atlases
• Biogeography
• Cartography
• Climatology
• Demography
• Economic Geography
• Geographic Information Systems
• Geography
• Geomorphology 
• Geopolitics
• Global Environmental Change
• Global Positioning System
• Hazardous Geographic Environments
• Historical Geography
• Human Geography
• Maps
• Medical geography 
• Physical Geography
• Political Geography
• Population
• Religion and geography
• Urban geography

Map to find materials in Kellogg Library

Find out what professors mean by "scholarly" research with this quick tutorial and comparison chart.

 

Scholarly books and journal articles (aka "peer-reviewed" or academic) are research conducted by experts in a field. These tend to be fairly complex and specific, and include substantial bibliographies.

 

Non-scholarly sources (aka "popular press") are usually magazine and newspaper articles. These are typically written for the general public in a relatively short, easy-to-read format without bibliographies. Most websites would be considered non-scholarly.

 

Some classes will require primary sources, firsthand material from a given time period such as diaries, letters, photographs, maps, or newspapers.

Every time you use someone else's ideas (even if you explain the idea in your own words), give credit in your bibliography AND in the text of your paper/presentation.

To format your bibliography

• APA Style examples
• Free formatting from KnightCite.

In-text citations examples

When you use your own words:

• As Brown (2001) shows blah blah blah.
• Blah blah blah (Brown, 2001).

When you use a direct quote:

• According to Smith (1998) "direct quote" (p. 14).
• "Direct quote" (Smith, 1998, p. 14). 

Note: There are many other citation styles, such as MLA or Chicago. Check with your professor to see what style is required for your research.