How is an atlas organized?

Notice that most atlases have an index and codes and symbols to help you locate places and information. An index gives coordinates and page numbers for locating a specific place. Not all atlases are arranged the same.

When do I use an atlas?

When you need to locate a place on a map this is a good place to look. For any geographical research this will be a good tool.

Where do I find an atlas?

Look on the reference shelf at REF 912 or REF 970 or in the non-fiction in 912 or 970s.

How do I use an atlas?

The index is an important part of a good atlas. It lists the specific names of places and shows you which map to go to.

You will also need to check the symbols and legends of an atlas. This is usually at the front of an atlas.

For example, one symbol that is common is a bold dot that shows where a specific city is.

Legends may show you the scale of a map. One example is how many fractions of an inch will equal one mile.

General Atlases You May Find in Your Library	Specialized Atlases You May Find in your Library
A general atlas will have maps of the world. They may be physical, political or --- or a combination.	A specialized atlas will focus on one particular place or topic.
Hammond World Atlas	Oregon Atlas
National Geographic Atlas of the World	Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy
Goode's World Atlas	Atlas of World Cultures
Atlapedia	Children's Atlas of Native Americans
Map Machine (from National Geographic)	Atlas of Lane County

On to the next section... Dictionaries

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Last modified: October, 2003 by Steinke, Ague, Feuerhelm, Maxwell, and Warburg