FAQ
There are some questions we receive again and again. You'll find our answers to them here.Frequently Answered Questions
- What software do I need to run the National Atlas?
- What products and services are included in the National Atlas?
- I need help using the Map Maker. Where do I go?
- How do I find (a town, place, feature, etc.)?
- What is the scale of the atlas maps?
- How do I get more detailed information?
- I need a prepared page-size map of the United States or my state that I can print from my computer. Is there one on your site?
- I need a zip code map of the United States. Is one included in the National Atlas?
- Does the National Atlas include a map showing the regions of the United States?
- Can I use the National Atlas to get driving directions between two points in the United States?
- Is the National Atlas mapping current-year West Nile Virus information?
- I want to buy a topographic map. How do I get it?
- How do I report a problem with the data or with the National Atlas?
- I've noticed the little registered trademark symbol in "The National Atlas of the United States of America®." Does this mean that there are restrictions on using National Atlas data and maps?
- What is the appropriate citation for National Atlas information?
- I use a geographic information system (GIS). Can I order National Atlas map layers?
- Is the old National Atlas still available?
- I can't find the map I need or an answer to my question here. Who should I contact?
An up-to-date Web browser installed with the Shockwave plug-in is all the software you need to use nationalatlas.gov™. Please make certain that your browser allows pop-up windows to open. We also suggest that you turn off the display of scripting errors in your browser’s Internet options or preferences. Here are the browsers that we support:
|
Operating System |
(or updated version) |
Available? |
| Windows Users | Internet Explorer 6.0 Netscape 7.2 Mozilla Firefox 5.0 |
Yes Yes |
| Macintosh Classic OS9 | Netscape 7.02 |
|
| Macintosh OSX | Safari 1.2 Mozilla Firefox 1.0 |
Yes |
| Linux | Mozilla Firefox 1.0 |
No No |
Some of our Dynamic Maps require Shockwave, which
is not available for Linux users. Earlier versions of these browsers are
not supported. No other browsers are supported.
Please see our Products page for a complete listing of the products and services included in the National Atlas.
Please visit the Help for the National Atlas Map Maker page. If you still have questions, please contact us at atlasmail@usgs.gov.
The National Atlas Map Maker can be used to locate named places within the United States. Go to the Map Maker, click on the Find tab, then follow the onscreen directions.
Most of our data are collected at a scale of 1:2,000,000 and are intended for use at national or large regional scales. In the Map Maker, a bar scale appears under the map. The scale of each wall map is included on the Wall Maps page. We use a wide variety of scales on National Atlas printable maps.
There are several ways to get more detailed information than what you find in the National Atlas.
First, National Atlas raw data come from many different Federal agencies and these agencies are often the best sources for more detailed information. Links from the National Atlas to Federal Web sites are provided in two ways. The Identify function in the Map Maker returns information with links to additional sites. There are also links provided in our Raw Data Download page. Click on a map layer name in the first column of the table on this page or on the map layer name in the Map Maker.Second, you may find detailed data by searching the Geospatial One-Stop. For basic map themes, such as streams, roads, and boundaries, we recommend visiting The National Map page.
Third, the National Atlas Map Maker includes links to sites where you can view detailed aerial photographs and large-scale topographic maps.
Finally, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Science Information Centers (ESICs) have a diverse collection of natural science information available both in digital and printed formats and at a variety of scales. Visit the ESIC home page or call them toll-free at 1-888-ASK-USGS.
Yes, the National Atlas offers plenty of choices in page-size maps. Please see our Printable Maps page for the latest list of the printable maps we offer. In addition, the following sites have links to United States maps in formats appropriate for printing. We welcome information on other sites that provide similar maps.
About.com Geography
Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook
Houghton Mifflin Company Education Place
National Geographic Xpeditions
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, The University of Texas at Austin
University of Alabama, United States Maps
We do not have a zip code map layer at this time. However, in the National Atlas Map Maker you can search for a place by its zip code and then zoom to that location on your map. Go to the Map Maker, click on the Find tab, then follow the onscreen directions.
As far as we know, there are no free zip code maps available online. Several private companies sell zip code maps, either online or on CD-ROM. Also see the U.S. Postal Service zip code look-up and address information page.
We have not included a "Regions" map layer because the definition of regions is highly subjective. The definition of a particular region depends on the perspective of the user, the purpose of the map, or other factors. The following sites contain more information on the determination of regions.
Helping Your Child Learn Geography, U.S. Department of Education
An Outline of American Geography, by Birdsall & Florin
Regions Defined, Library of Congress
No, this is not a function of the National Atlas. The following Web sites do provide this service and we welcome information on additional sites.
Expedia
MapQuest
Maps on Us
MSN Maps and Directions
Yahoo! Maps
No. The USGS is mapping current West Nile virus information, and also has maps from several previous years. West Nile virus information for the previous year is usually added to the National Atlas Map Maker in late spring.
The USGS Earth Science Information Centers (ESICs) sell topographic maps. Visit the ESIC home page or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. There are also thousands of USGS map dealers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The Business Partner page can help you find one near you. Historic topographic maps are available from Novacell Technologies. Scanned versions of all the latest USGS topographic maps and aerial photographs are also available online. See our information on using the National Atlas to locate and display a topographic map or digital aerial photograph.
Please send comments, bug reports, suggestions for improvements, questions, and any other communications to us at atlasmail@usgs.gov.
We appreciate your input and try to respond promptly to all messages.
No, not usually. Nearly all information collected by the Federal Government is in the public domain and use of raw data produced under this project is not restricted in any way. Both "National Atlas of the United States®" and "The National Atlas of the United States of America®" are registered trademarks of the United States Department of the Interior. The USGS has been publishing National Atlas products since 1970 and has simply taken action to trademark this term to incorporate all new graphic and electronic products of The National Atlas of the United States of America®.
Although the content of most National Atlas Web pages is in the public domain, some pages may contain material that is copyrighted by others and used by the National Atlas with permission. You may need to obtain permission from the copyright owner for other uses. Furthermore, some non-National Atlas data, products, and information linked, or referred to, from this site may be protected under U.S. and foreign copyright laws. You may need to obtain permission from the copyright owner to acquire, use, reproduce, or distribute these materials.
15. What is the appropriate citation for National Atlas information?
To cite the National Atlas, we suggest:
National Atlas of the United States, March 5, 2003, http://nationalatlas.gov
Use the date found on the bottom of the Raw Data Download page. For individual layers, we suggest a slightly different format. Include the author and the map layer title, and use the publication date for the individual map layer, i.e.
Chris Daly, Spatial Climate Analysis Service, September 2000, United States Average Annual Precipitation, 1961-1990, in National Atlas of the United States, http://nationalatlas.gov
For National Atlas articles, we suggest including the article title and date. If authors are credited at the end of an article, cite them and any originating publication as well:
Ecoregions of the United States, in National Atlas of the United States, January, 2005, http://nationalatlas.gov
Consumer-Driven Agriculture, in National Atlas of the United States, January,
2005, adapted from Ballenger, Nicole and Blaylock, James, USDA/ERS, April
2003, Consumer-Driven Agriculture: Amber Waves, Vol. 1, Issue 2.
Yes and they're free. Nearly all map layers presented within our Map Maker are available for use outside the National Atlas. You can download these map layers at no cost using file transfer protocol (FTP). See our Raw Data Download page for more information about downloading National Atlas map layers.
The following private company sells National Atlas raw data on CD-ROM. Please note that these files may not represent the latest versions of the data and that additional files not included in the National Atlas may be provided as well. The National Atlas presents this link as a service to our users and assumes no responsibility for the content or use of these files. We welcome information on other companies that offer versions of our data on CD-ROM.
http://www.mapcruzin.com/united-states-map-atlas/You can also embed the National Atlas in your own application if your code takes advantage of the evolving Web Mapping Services specifications from the Open Geospatial Consortium.
No. The National Atlas of the United States of America® published by the USGS in 1970, is out of print. However, the Library of Congress has added the original National Atlas to its American Memory collection on the World Wide Web. See the American Memory site to browse through the earlier atlas.
Also, many maps from the 1970 edition can be purchased from the USGS. See our page on Maps from the 1970 National Atlas for more information. Used or antique book stores are possible sources for the 1970 National Atlas. Reference copies are available in many libraries.
For additional questions about the National Atlas, please contact us at atlasmail@usgs.gov.
For other questions, we suggest trying the USGS Earth Science Information Center (ESIC). The ESIC offers nationwide information on biology, geography, geology, and water. They also provide sales service for USGS map products and natural science publications. ESIC can fill orders for custom products such as aerial photographs and orthophotoquads, digital cartographic data, and geographic names data. In addition, ESIC can provide information about maps from other organizations. Visit the ESIC home page or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.
