Need a map? How about driving directions, an atlas, help with planning a walking route, or an auction close to you? In this article, we’ll take a look at a few different ways you can find a map online.
National Geographic Maps
National Geographic Maps offers the reader a gigantic collection of all the National Geographic maps in a searchable online database. There is so much to the maps that National Geographic offers that it’s best to look at it piece by piece. Start with the categories to get a big picture view of all that National Geographic map search has to offer. There’s a lot here, and it’s all searchable: world maps, satellite maps of Mars, Globe Explorer aerial imagery, and much, much more. Featured Maps are on the home page, along with a link to the National Geographic map store.
Layers
Informational layers on each map that you find (this could include roads, place names, political/cultural boundaries, etc.) can be turned on or off according to your personal preference. Every map has its own set of custom tools that you can use to tweak the map to your exact specifications.
Quick Search
Use the Quick Map Search engine tool to find a place (city, country, region continent, US zip codes, etc.), browse antique maps, find country facts, and look at literally almost every mappable place on Earth. The small QuickMapSearch box is on every single page of the National Geographic maps and geography section, and you can use this search to search within map categories (of which there are quite a few), as well as save your map searches, a nice feature.
Printer-Friendly
Get printer friendly maps for personal or classroom use. Includes every continent, a world map view, the Middle East region, and more. Decide which level of detail you’d like to include and then you can click on the link at the bottom to view either a .gif or .pdf file.
Interactive
National Geographic’s country profiles offer an interactive map of the world. Just click on any region you’d like to explore and you’ll see detailed links for every country in that particular region. Individual country profiles include information about the population, an atlas plate, a printable outline map, and the CIA World Factbook entry. Good stuff here that’s perfect for anyone doing needing research information.
Local Directions
The National Geographic US Street Map is an interactive (you can zoom in and out) map of United States roads and highways.
Use the map tools to click and drag a particular search area, use the Quick Map Search box to search within the US Streets map, or customize your map: enter text into the box marked “customize map” and then click on the map to place a text marker.
Maps Online
Whether you’re planning a road trip or just want to practice your geography skills, there are plenty of great online maps on the Web.
United States Maps
Maps of the Americas: This is one of the most interesting sites on the Web today, from the University of Texas at Austin. Includes maps not only of the United States but everywhere in the world.
Roadside America: Plan a trip with some good stuff to see along the way with the Roadside America planning tools.
National Atlas: Use this Map Maker to make your own layered map of the United States.
MultiMap: Extremely detailed maps of the US.
Maps for Road Trips
StreetMap: a map maker for the UK.
Mappy.com: Another one primarily for Europe; plan an itinerary or get detailed maps of an area.
RoutePlanner: Search for points of interest in the UK and plan your route accordingly.
Free Highway Travel Guides: Tons of free travel maps available here for printing.
World Maps
HRW World Maps: powered by MapQuest; you can find detailed world maps here.
National Geographic World Atlas: Make your own world map, and then you can print it out.
Map of France: Interactive map of France.
WorldMapper: a collection of world maps.
CIA World Factbook: extremely detailed maps for everywhere in the world.
Wikimapia: a Wikipedia for maps; extremely addicting.
NASA WorldWind: Zoom in from satellite altitude to anywhere on earth.
World Sunlight Map: Watch the sun rise and set all over the world.