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Geographic Information Systems

GIS, which stands for Geographic Information System, is a way of presenting data spatially with maps and charts so that it can be better understood and analyzed. There are literally thousands of uses for GIS data, including analyzing traffic patterns, displaying changes in population over time, developing zoning boundaries, planning delivery routes, and so on.

Data for use with GIS can be found from a variety of sources on the Internet, from businesses, governmental agencies, non-profit foundations, and educational institutions ranging from elementary schools to universities. Presented below are some of the sources that IUPUI University Library staff have found particularly useful. Also included are links to sites providing maps on-line and other geographic resources. This resource guide is under continuous construction.

Basic GIS Information

  • GIS.com
    Web site maintained by ESRI to explain the basics of GIS. A great place to look when you are first getting started with GIS usage.

     

  • Making GIS Work for You
    "Quick start" guide prepared by IUPUI's Digital Libraries Team for using ESRI's free ArcExplorer software.

Software

General Data Resources

  • GIS Data Depot
    Part of GeoCommunity, GIS Data Depot is the largest repository of free geo-spacial data on the web.

     

  • Geography Network
    "The Geography Network is a global network of geographic information users and providers. It provides the infrastructure needed to facilitate the sharing of geographic information between data providers, service providers, and users around the world." (Geography Network home page). A great, searchable (makes use of metadata descriptors) resource for GIS data and maps from a huge number of different providers, corporate, government, and other organizations.

     

Federal Data

Indiana Data

  • Electronic Atlas of Central Indiana (EACI)
    Supported by the IUPUI University Library and funded by a grant from the Indianapolis Foundation, EACI provides spacially-referenced data for the 9-county Indianapolis MSA. In addition to downloadable GIS data, EACI also provides online data maps and PDF versions of pre-made ArcView maps for the counties and datasets covered.

     

  • Indiana Geological Survey
    Home page of the Indiana Geological Survey. Provides a variety of map, data, and GIS resources, along with lots of other great products and services.

     

  • Indiana Spatial Data Store
    Indiana University Bloomington's School of Public and Environmental Affairs's portal for geographic data, hosted and maintained by University Information and Technology Services (UITS) at IUB. Provides access to Indiana, as well as federal data.

     

  • Northwest Indiana GIS Forum (NIGF)
    Website maintained by the organization made up of GIS professionals from the Calumet region. Provides access to data and GIS dictionaries, maps, and other resources.

     

  • SAVI (Social Assets and Vulnerabilities Indicators) Interactive
    Coordinated and maintained by The POLIS Center at IUPUI, SAVI provides detailed spatial data and maps for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Marion County and its eight contiguous counties: Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan and Hendricks. SAVI Interactive provides Web presentation of some of its data, and more is available in the form of shape files and tables for use with ArcView.

Maps on the Web

  • Indiana Department of Transportation - General Information
    Part of the Access Indiana project, this site provides access to lots of Indiana maps relating to transportation.

     

  • Historic Maps of Indiana
    Maintained by the Geography and Map Library at Indiana University Bloomington, this site contains bibliographic resources about historic maps, as well as a wealth of information about digitized and print historic map resources.

     

  • Healthy Communities Environmental Mapping
    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides HUD E-Maps, a free Internet service that combines information and maps on HUD’s community development and housing programs with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) environmental data. Great source for detailed maps of the entire United States.

     

  • ArcData Online Map Browser
    This ESRI site allows the user to create maps of all sorts of data, down to the county level in the U.S. and country level worldwide.

     

  • American Fact Finder
    Provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, this site provides reference maps of boundaries along with "quick thematic maps" of most places in the United States.

     

  • National Atlas of the United States
    This site, developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, provides access to interactive maps (which require plug-in software) as well as allows a user to build thematic maps with the National Atlas Map Browser.

     

  • Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
    This collection of on-line maps and mapping resources, which belongs to the University of Texas at Austin General Libraries, is one of the finest in existence. If you need a map of just about anywhere in the world, check here!

     

  • The David Rumsey Collection
    On-line collection of 18th and 19th century maps, globes, and other cartographic materials pertaining to North and South America.

     

  • CIA World Factbook
    Produced by the Central Intelligence Agency, the World Factbook is an excellent source of geographic information and maps.

     

  • National Geographic Map Machine
    A great source of maps based on the National Geographic Atlas of the World. Allows some customization of the maps (you can add icons or text) and allows you to search for a particular area. Great source of maps for printing for reports.

     

  • TerraServer
    Map site that focuses on satellite imagery. Contains satellite photos from several sources and of locations throughout the world. Even contains aerial views of secret military sites like Area 51!

     

  • Topozone
    On-line, searchable access to USGS quadrangle maps.

Geography and Geology Departments with GIS Programs

GIS Training Opportunities

  • ESRI Training
    Part of the ESRI web site, this page links to a schedule of instructor-led classes, an ESRI authorized training locator, and ESRI's Virtual Campus, which provides over 100 hours of free GIS training.

     

  • Professional Training Solutions Program
    The POLIS Center, part of IUPUI's School of Liberal Arts, offers training in a number of GIS-related topics.

Street Mapping Resources

  • MapBlast!
    Street mapping site that will map cities as well as provide driving directions between specified addresses.

     

  • MapQuest
    Mapping and driving directions are provided on this site, along with clearly printed maps.

     

Send Comments and Questions to: Bill Orme, GIS contact.

Last updated by andjsmit on 06/17/2009
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