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Finding Primary Sources: Maps & Data

A guide to finding primary sources at Smith Library Center.

Georgetown, Texas in July 1889

World and US Population

Real time world and US population statistics, updated every minute.  This and much more information found at American FactFinder.

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Maps

  • American Memory: Maps: Historical map collection from the Library of Congress covering 1500-2004.
  • 16th- Early 20th Century Maps of Africa: From Northwestern University, this site features digital copies of 113 antique maps of Africa and accompanying text dating from the mid 16th Century to the early 20th Century.
  • David Rumsey Map Collection: The historical map collection has over 22,000 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. 
  • Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection:  Extensive list of links to historical map collections online. From the Perry-Castaneda Library.
  • Medieval Maps and Images (from the Internet Medieval Sourcebook at Fordham University): Large selection of medieval map images from around the world.
  • World Digital Library: Maps: More than 300 map images, dating from 8000BC to 1949AD and representing at least 100 geographic areas, a free service from The Library of Congress.
  • Digital Sanborn Maps: Maps of Texas towns and cities dating from 1867.

Data and facts

  • American FactFinder:  Provides population, housing, income, economic and geographic data, from the U.S. Census Bureau
  • Statistical Abstract of the United States: The authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
  • Historical Census Browser:  From the University of Virginia, census information starting with data 1790 taken from the volumes of U.S. Census of Population and Housing.
  • Gapminder:  Select world data from WHO, UN, World Bank, International Agency for Research on Cancer and journals such as Forbes with interactive charts and maps over time.
  • U.S. Census Bureau: Published by the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Find the latest news and facts, interactive maps, and more.
  • 65+ in the United States at the U.S. Census Bureau:  A look at the U.S. Population that is 65 and older.  Latest issue published in April 1996.