Maps
A University of Lethbridge Library guide to finding maps.
Strategies for Finding Maps @ the University of Lethbridge Library
- SUMMON: This discovery tool accessible from the search box on the Library home page searches for both print and digital maps described in Library Catalogue as well as those held in other locations (e.g., Open Government collections). After a keyword search it is necessary to limit results by "Content Type" > "Map."
- LIBRARY CATALOGUE: All available print maps are described in the Library Catalogue. Use it to find the map's location and call number by performing an Advanced Keyword search using a keyword (e.g., "Lethbridge") and limiting results by Location to "ULethbridge Map Collection." Hint: You can identify maps held in other Library locations (e.g., Government Documents) by limiting results to Material Type "Map."
- NTS INDEX MAPS: To identify topographic maps of Canada, use the NTS Index Maps located on top of the map cabinets or use GeoGratis. Maps are available in two standard scales: 1/50,000 and 1/250,000. E.g., 82H (online & print) is the 1:250,000 scale for Lethbridge, Alberta and 82H/10 (online & print ) is the 1:50,000 scale.
- OTHER: The Finding Tools section of the GIS & Spatial Data LibGuide provides additional electronic discovery tools for locating both print and digital maps (e.g., place-name search).
Frequently Used Series Maps
- Canada Digital Topographic Raster Maps, 1944-2012This group of maps (1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000), which includes the CanMatrix and CanTopo collections, is now a legacy product that is no longer maintained. It may not meet current government standards. Maps originally published by Natural Resources Canada.
- Alberta Topographical & Base Maps [Digital / PDF] Gov't of AlbertaVia GeoDiscover Alberta portal. Includes 1:50,000 | 1:100,000 | 1:250,000 | 1:750,000 | 1:1,000,000 | 1:2,000,000
- Geological Survey of Canada "A" Series Maps [PRINT & ONLINE]Catalogue records Include hyperlinks to digitized versions.
Digital Maps: Web Resources
- Scholars GeoPortalIncludes historical Canadian NTS topographic maps (1:25,000 | 1:50,000 | 1:63,300); multiple editions. Also contains historical census boundary files and more. [Search "nts" and then add to map to see available map locations for download].
- William C. Wonders Map Collection via Internet Archive [U. of Alberta]A large selection of digitized maps from the U. of Alberta map collection which is the largest academic map collection in Canada.Includes Alberta road/highway maps, municipal districts, county maps, etc.
- Digital Historic Maps of Western Canadian Prairies -- U. of CalgaryScanned maps from the University of Calgary's collection, as well as links to other web resources for historic maps, focused primarily on the western Canadian prairies
- The Atlas of CanadaThe Atlas of Canada provides authoritative, current and accessible geographic information products at a national level. Working with partners, the Atlas facilitates the integration and analysis of diverse data in order to increase overall knowledge about Canada.
- City of Lethbridge Maps & GIS [Some Free]Current geographic data for the City of Lethbridge; includes Interactive WebMAPs.
File type: PDF (free maps); Shapefile & CAD (for purchase). - Open Government Portal - Natural Resources CanadaFree geospatial data for all of Canada; includes GeoBase Orthoimagery 2005-2010.
- National Geographic MapMakerA free tool for building customized maps
- Printable USGS PDF Quads [National Geographic Society]National Geographic web interface useful for finding any quad in the United States for downloading and printing. Each quad has been pre-processed to print on a standard home, letter size printer.
- d-mapsFree maps, blank maps, map outlines, and base maps.
- Old Maps OnlineA searchable portal containing historical maps contributed by various libraries worldwide. Content ranges from 1000 to 2010.
- David Rumsey Map CollectionThe historical map collection has over 33,000 maps and images online. The collection focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North American and South American maps and other cartographic materials. Historic maps of the World,Europe,Asia, and Africa are also represented.
- Peel's Prairie Provinces -- Historical MapsCollection of 1000+ historical maps related to the development of the Canadian Prairies.
- Ontario Historical Topographic Map Digitization ProjectDigitized and georeference early-to-mid 20th century historical topographic maps covering the Province of Ontario at scales of 1:25,000 and 1:63,360.
- Collections of Canadian Historic Maps -- U. of CalgaryCollection of link to websites providing access to Albertan, Canadian, and international historical maps. Includes 1 inch to 3 mile scale sectional maps, with coverage mainly of the prairies.
- Indian Reserves [electronic resource] : Western CanadaApproximately 1,500 maps and plans that relate to Aboriginal reserves and settlements in western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Territory).
Print Map Collection
The University Library's print Map Collection is located on Level-10-South. Included are topographical, thematic, historical and geological maps.
Use the GIS & Spatial Data LibGuide if you are seeking map-related data compatible with GIS software,
Use the free GeoGratis Geospatial Products tool if you require digital NTS topographic maps (PDF / GeoTIFF formats).
Map-Related Subject Headings: Examples
Subject Headings are used in the Library Catalogue to group materials pertaining to similar subject matter.