Frequently Asked Questions: Maps, Geography

Maps and atlases acquired by the Library of Congress are routinely cataloged to facilitate public access and may be searched by using our Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). The maps and atlases are cataloged according to the Library of Congress "G-Schedule" or classification system for cartographic resources. (See below for additional information).

Both maps and atlases are arranged by geographic area and subject. Maps of the state of Massachusetts, for example, are filed together in chronological order; subject maps of the entire state of Massachusetts are filed by subject (administrative maps; boundary maps; climate maps; demographic maps; population density maps; road maps, etc.,); maps of regions such as Cape Cod National Seashore are filed together; county maps (Middlesex, etc.,) are filed together; followed by city or town maps (Boston, etc.,)

As each geographic area is assigned a unique call number, it is possible to use the browse by call numbers (LC class) feature in the OPAC to view items that are cataloged near each other. See here for a 2,750 page pdf listing call numbers for maps from Mexico to Antarctica; and here for call numbers for reference works and atlases.