Maps of the World

September 1999

|| This Dynamic Planet || Outline Maps of the World || Political Map of the World ||
|| World Seismicity Map || Topographic Maps of the World || Special Maps ||
|| Where To Find Maps of the World ||

Because a map conveys information visually, it is often the best way to present facts about the size, shape, and appearance of our world and about the changes people have imposed on the world.

Some world maps show the mountains, rivers, oceans, and plains that make up the face of the Earth. Some show only the boundaries that divide our world into nations. Others show the Earth's resources, population centers, or areas of earthquake activity.

World maps available for the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) range from a one-sheet desktop reference aid to a six-sheet wall map.

This Dynamic Planet

World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Centers, and Plate Tectonics —This map shows the Earth's physiographic features overlaid by its volcanoes, earthquake epicenters, impact crates and by the movement of its major tectonic plates.

Compiled and published jointly by the Smithsonian Institution and the USGS, this computer-generated map of the world provides a base map that shows the topography of the land surface and the seafloor. Color and shaded relief help to distinguish important features.

From the Volcano Reference File of the Smithsonian Institution, over 1,500 volcanoes active during the past 10,000 years are plotted on the map in four categories. From a CD-ROM published by the National Earthquake Information Center, the locations (epicenters) of over 24,000 earthquakes, largely from 1960 through 1990, are plotted in three magnitudes categories and in two depth ranges.

This map is intended as a teaching aid for classroom use and as a general reference for research. It is designed to show prominent global features when viewed from a distance, with more detailed features visible on closer inspection.

This map's Mercator projection was produced at a scale of 1:30,000,000 at the Equator (1" equals about 473 miles). The 58" x 41" map was printed in 1994.
GIA - 0023T (flat), GIA - 0022D (folded)

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Outline Maps of the World

Part of "Political Map of the World" TAA - 0070	Part of "Outline Map of the World" at the scale of 1:40,000,000 TAA -0071 (48" x 33"), TAA - 0072 (25" x 18")

The USGS published two outline maps of the world. Both are printed in two colors and use the Van der Grinten projection centered on the Americas. The outline format makes them useful as base maps on which you can compile and display special information.

The 48" x 33" map shows the boundaries and names of nations. It shows their capitals and major cities. It was published at a scale of 1:40,000,000 (1" equals about 631 miles) and was printed in 1988.

The 25" x 18" map shows only the boundaries and names of nations. It was produced at a scale of 1:80,000,000 (1" equals about 1,262 miles) and it was printed in 1983.
TAA - 0071 (48" x 33"), TAA - 0072 (25" x18")

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Political Map of the World

The USGS sells a 41" x 22" political map of the world made by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) dated 1992. This multicolored map shows political boundaries, names of nations, capital cities, undetermined borders and disputed territories. It was produced at a scale of 1:35,000,000 (1" equals about 552 miles) and it is based on the Robinson Projection.
TAA - 0070

World Seismicity Map

This colorful poster (36" x 62") shows three "globes" suspended on a star-covered black "space." Over 23,000 separate epicenter locations are shown on the poster, representing over 97,000 earthquakes that occurred from January 1979 through December 1988. The symbol sizes are scaled in three magnitude categories: magnitudes less than 4.5, magnitudes 4.5 - 6.4, and magnitudes 6.5 and greater. The color of the symbol corresponds to the depth of the earthquake.

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Topographic Maps of the World

The USGS sells three topographic maps of the world that show international boundaries, country names, capitals, and selected cities and towns. All three, produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency and formerly Defense Mapping Agency), use the Mercator projection centered on the Pacific Ocean.

Multicolor tints distinguish topographic, hysometric, hydrographic and bathymetic features. Shaded relief accentuates mountain ranges. Shipping lanes are also shown. Clock time is displayed at 15-degree intervals of longitude. Marginal data on the maps include a sheet index, a legend for populated areas, ice limits, boundary symbols, and tint-band guides.

World Map, series 1145, is on a single 56" x 42" sheet. The scale is 1:30,000,000 (1" equals about 473 miles). The information is current as of 1988. TAA - 0058

World Map, series 1144, is composed of three sheets that assemble to 74" x 55". Each sheet is 28" x 55". The scale is 1:22,000,000 (1" equals about 348 miles). The information is current as 1998.
TAA - 0060, TAA - 0061, TAA - 0062

World Map, series 1150, is composed of six sheets that assemble to a 9' 8-½" x 7'2" wall map. Average sheet size is 42" x 54". The scale is 1:14,000,000 (1" equals about 221 miles). Actual time boundary lines are shown. The information is current as of 1998. TAA - 0064, TAA - 0065, TAA - 0066, TAA - 0067, TAA - 0068, TAA - 0069.

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Special Maps

Many other special world maps are produced by the USGS. You can learn more about these world maps and other technical maps from any Earth Science Information Center (ESIC).

Where to Find Maps of the World

Many world maps are listed in "CIA Maps and Publications Released to the Public," which are available from the CIA Public Affairs Office, Washington, DC 20505; (703)482-0623 or on the World Wide Web at www.cia.gov/cia/publications/mapspub/.

The USGS Fact Sheet, "Looking for an Old Map" explains how to obtain information about the rich collections of historical world maps in the Library of Congress and the National Archives. You can obtain the fact sheet from any ESIC.

Some of the finest map collections are held by public or university libraries that have been designated as Federal Map Depository Libraries. These institutions hold copies of most federally produced maps as well as many historical maps from foreign countries. They are available for public inspection. To obtain a list of Federal Depository Libraries, visit the web site www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html or contact any ESIC.

For information world maps contact any ESIC or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. To purchase world maps for sale by the USGS, write to:

USGS Information Services
Box 2586
Denver, CO 80225

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This document has undergone official review and approval for publications established by the National Mapping Division, U.S. Geological Survey. Some figures have been modified or added to improve the scientific visualization of information.