Selected Data and Reference Resources
for
Geography 308 -- Introduction to GIS
This guide is available online at http://www.wiu.edu/library/govpubs/, Select Class Guides from the left menu, then GEOG 308.


I. General GIS websites

GIS.com - A site created by ESRI to serve as a GIS information portal.

II. Government web sites containing Geospatial Data

The National Atlas of the United States Choose "Atlas Maps" and then use the "National Atlas Online, Interactive Map Browser" to produce maps online -- or choose the "Map Layers Data Warehouse" to download map layers in GIS formats.

Illinois Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
This site is a gateway to GIS data and imagery for Illinois. Available data sets and documentation (metadata) include: geology, water resources, nature preserves, wildlife areas, land use, political boundaries, roads, and census information. Most data sets can be downloaded in GIS formats.


Census Bureau Home Page

A good place to begin searching for all kinds of governmental statistics. From the main webpage, you can choose a particular area of interest, (e.g. Geography) and browse some areas that relate to GIS.

U.S. Census Bureau Maps and Cartographic Resources
This site provides a common gateway to Census Bureau and related Cartographic Resources. "Boundary Files" provides access to generalized, digital census data suitable for use in a Geographic Information System as the base for medium to small-scale thematic mapping.

State and County QuickFacts
Quick, easy access to facts about people, business, and geography. Datasets can be downloaded as comma delimited or tab delimited files.

American Factfinder
Social, demographic, housing, and economic data for varying geographic levels. This is the main site the Census Bureau uses to disseminate the 2000 Census. Datasets can be downloaded as comma delimited or tab delimited files.

The GIS Gateway by the Census Bureau.

How to download Census Data for GIS Applications a tutorial that may or may not be helpful.

Creating a Map of Census Data Using a Geographic Information System A tutorial geared to the Map Library lab at the University of Michigan, but it may be helpful.


Geographic Information Systems by the U.S. Geological Survey.

USGS Node of the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse


The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Clearinghouse

U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics GIS Home Page

III. Other Online Clearinghouses

Web Sites for Digital GIS Data by Stanford University.

GIS Data Depot


IV. Finding Other Online GIS Clearinghouses

Using a search engine like Google.com type in searches such as GIS Clearinghouse OR Geospatial Data.


V. Finding GIS books and CD-ROMS at the WIU Libraries using our online catalog of our holdings.

Find Books, a link to searching our online catalog. Use the "ILLINET ONLINE via WWW" link on the right.

Start out with a simple search of GIS as a title word -- then as you bring up records, look at the subject headings used to find more materials. Or if you found the name of a particular GIS book or CD-ROM title from another source -- you can search here to see of WIU Libraries have it.

Marcy Allen
Government Information Librarian
298-2723
mm-allen@wiu.edu