Recommended websites
Atlases | Gazetteers | Maps
Atlases
Authored by A.L. Farley and published by the University of British Columbia in 1979, this remains the only print atlas covering contemporary BC. Reproduced here in electronic format, coutesy of UBC.
Features interactive maps and graphics on different themes such as Canada's geophysical regions and climate zones, industries, weather extremes, and more. Also includes games and quizzes to test and improve your knowledge.
An online, interactive version of the three-volume Historical Atlas of Canada. It includes maps, graphs and text, as well as learning activities and downloadable data.
Interactive atlas, featuring extensive physical and social thematic maps of Canada and its regions - the longest rivers, highest mountains, biggest lakes and glaciers, coastline lengths, numbers of islands, and many other geographical facts for Canada and each of its provinces and territories.
Interactive atlas of the world with political and physical maps, and satellite images.
Provides continuously updated data on the state of the world's oceans, maps, development trends and threats to human heath from the deteriorating marine environment - such as overfishing and pollution that endangers marine biodiversity, coastal habitats, and the global climate.
In association with Environment Canada, the United Nations also maintains the GEMS/WATER site detailing global freshwater quality issues, featuring information on 82 major watersheds of the world. The World Ocean Atlas from the US National Oceanographic Data Centre provides maps of the world's oceans showing variables such as water temperature, salinity, oxygen,nutrients, chlorophyll, and zooplankton.
Gazetteers
Current and historical placenames, and in future, their origins. Search by name, coordinates, or feature/location description.
Searchable by name, coordinates, or feature description, includes current historical names. The Origins of Canada's Geographical Names explains the origins of the names of Canada, its provinces and territories, cities, national parks, and some aboriginal communities.
A directory of international, national, local and planetary gazetteers and other place name resources from around the world.
Maps
BurnabyMap is a web-based mapping website that provides access to the City’s geographic information systems (GIS). There are over thirty map layers (themes) of data that can be viewed, including property address and assessment data, parks and recreation facilities, waterways, major trail systems and cycle routes, roads, HOV lanes, transit systems, schools, public libraries and other public places including fire halls, shopping complexes and policing services, road maps, engineering data such as sewer and water mains, and high-resolution aerial photographs.
Detailed land-use maps and their associated community plans for all Burnaby development zones are also available online.
Searchable online maps of almost anywhere in the world with specific information and addresses for many individual locations, and Google Street View ground-level photography for an increasing number of communities.
Search the web for Google Maps Mashups to find thousands of customized maps created by users with Google Map technology for many different purposes - fun, commercial, or complete nonsense.
One of the most comprehensive collection of maps available online, including world regions, countries and cities - both current and historic. Also includes other historical and weather-related maps.
Natural Resources Canada provides free online access to topographical maps covering all of Canada, complete with a zoom feature for more detailed viewing. Canadian hydrographic and bathymetric maps can also be accessed online.
Topozone from the US Geographical Survey provides the same service for the United States, as does the Ordnance Survey's online Get-a-Map for the United Kingdom.
This page maintained by LH