Maps from David Rumsey and UT’S Perry-Castañeda Library

Q: What could be better than having free online access to a large and well-organized map collection?

A: Access to two of them.

The image at left is one of over 18,000 hi-def, searchable maps at the David Rumsey Map Collection.

From the homepage: “The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection has over 18,460 maps 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. Collection categories include antique atlas, globe, school geography, maritime chart, state, county, city, pocket, wall, childrens, and manuscript maps. Some examples are United States map, maps New York, California map, Arizona map, America map, New York City map, Chicago map, and Colorado map. The collection can be used to study history, genealogy and family history.”


Need something more current?

The image at right, a simple sketch of the areas of Eastern Africa and the Saudi Penninsula recently affected by pirate attacks, is from the Perry-Castañeda Library at the University of Texas at Austin. While this site hosts a variety of maps of its own, of both historical and more current interest, it also links to dozens of other sites containing city maps, country maps, weather maps, satellite images, maps of the stars and more.

Most of the maps from the Perry-Castañeda collection itself are in the public domain, and may be used accordingly. Some are not, however, and any maps linked to but not actually hosted by the Perry-Castañeda Library are potentially copyrighted. Check the FAQ on copyright before you use them.