Maps

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

One of the first maps of the New World, this map made by Johannes Ruysch using a polar projection. It includes an extensive view of South America, islands of the West Indies, and a portion of North America. This map appeared in some copies of the 1507 Rome edition of Ptolemy's Geography. Ruysch's map illustrates a number of significant geographic features, particularly along the easterly sea route to Asia, which was of prime importance to early 16th-century Europeans.

Best For
Grades 4-12+ (Ages 9+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This classic world map shows the world's political boundaries following World War I. The map also shows airplane routes and railroad routes that had been established at the time.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This Florida map was published in National Geographic in January 1930 with the article "Florida - The Fountain of Youth." Insets maps provide further detail in this early depiction of the Sunshine State.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This map of the White Mountains (which extend beyond New Hampshire and into Maine) includes the famous "Old Man of the Mountain" cliff. The Old Man of the Mountain collapsed in 2003.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

The Hawaii map of July 1960 was published less than a year after the group of islands and reefs became the 50th state in the union. This map shows the whole state, as well as a detailed map of the principal islands. Ocean bathymetry, reefs, and currents complete the picture of this region.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S K

This distinctive physical map of the Indian Ocean appeared in the October 1967 issue of National Geographic. The detail of such submarine terrain as continental shelves, basins, fracture zones, and the mighty Mid-Oceanic Ridge is stunning.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S K

This distinctive physical map of the Pacific Ocean appeared in the October 1969 issue of National Geographic. The detail of such submarine terrain as continental slopes, fracture zones, and the countless seamounts is stunning.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Explore the moon in striking detail with this educational map published in February 1969, just five months before Apollo 11 made history. Featuring detailed illustrations of both the near and far sides of the moon, this map also contains an abundance of illustrations and information including the moon's physical properties and features, phases, eclipses, orbital paths, and the Apollo mission.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Comprised of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, the Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. Published in July 1987 as part of the "Making of America" series, this map of the Great Lakes contains a vast amount of historical information about the region, as well as tourist attractions. 

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This beautiful map of Mount Everest and the surrounding region was published in November 1988 with three articles on Mount Everest including "Roof of the World." Featuring soft, colored shading and technical information about the making of the map.

Best For
Grades 7-12+ (Ages 12+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Half of a two-page layout on the Holy Land, this map displays beautiful cartography and copious historical, religious, and geographical facts about this land of faith and conflict. 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Science

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This fascinating map of the solar system is teeming with information about the sun, planets, satellites, formation of the solar system, and makeup of celestial bodies. 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This full-color physical wall map of the Pacific Ocean includes a short article on hydrothermal vents.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

In October 1922, National Geographic devoted an entire issue to the continent of Africa which included this beautifully crafted map. Discover Africa in the early 20th century when transportation on the continent was in its infancy and many rivers were yet unexplored.

Best For
Grades 5-12+ (Ages 10+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Africa underwent tremendous change in the early parts of the 20th eentury. Access to air travel and motor vehicles led to increased travel, increased development, and modernization. This beautiful map, produced by the National Geographic cartographic section in June 1935, tells the story of a continent amidst the old and new.

Best For
Grades 7-12+ (Ages 12+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Half of a two-map set published in December 1971, this map accompanies the "Ethnolinguistic Map of the Peoples of Africa." It features a physical map of the continent and an abundance of historical notes.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Published in February 1914 with the article "The Nation's Undeveloped Resources," this map of Alaska contains an abundance of details showing growing human settlement of the region. U.S. public schools for natives, post offices, telegraph stations, mail routes, and mission stations are just some of the many features shown on this map.

Best For
Grades 4-12+ (Ages 9+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This beautifully colored map includes economic, climate, and physical information about South America. The entire October 1921 issue of National Geographic in which this map appeared was dedicated to the continent.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Published in National Geographic magazine in May 1924, this beautiful map of North America is colored to indicate elevation and ocean depth, and features boldly drawn state, provincial, and international boundaries. Inset maps of the Aleutian Islands and the eastern part of the West Indies complete this attractive presentation of the region.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Science, Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Explore North America in the Age of the Dinosaurs with this educational map. Published in January 1993, this striking work shows North America as it was 74 million years ago when Tyrannosaurs, Ceratopsians, and Sauropods roamed the region. Containing a wealth of information on the various dinosaur species, fossil distribution, and illustrations, this map accompanied the poster, "Dawn on the Delta: 74 Million Years Ago."

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Loaded with information about Antarctica—including expeditions, stations, wildlife, climate, and more—this map also contains inset maps showing the subglacial continent and various countries' claims on the region.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S K

This distinctive physical map of the Arctic Ocean appeared in the October 1971 issue of National Geographic. The detail of such submarine terrain as continental shelves, abyssal plains, ridges, and fracture zones is stunning.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This ambitious map of Asia was printed in December 1933 with the National Geographic article "Afghanistan Makes Haste Slowly." 

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Published in July 1942 with the article "Western Front Map Embraces Three Continents," this extraordinary work features historical information and colorful relief shading.

Best For
Grades 3-12+ (Ages 8+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

This distinctive physical map of the Atlantic Ocean appeared in the June 1968 issue of National Geographic magazine. The detail of such submarine terrain as continental slopes, abyssal plains, and the mighty Mid-Atlantic Ridge is stunning.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Experience the breathtaking detail of the Atlantic Ocean with this fascinating map. Included on this map is the article "Diving Into Our Past," which explains the technology behind underwater archeaology. The Mediterranean Sea and parts of the South Pacific are also shown on this remarkable work which was published in January 1990.

Best For
Grades 6-12+ (Ages 11+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

First published in August 1979 in conjunction with a political and physical map of the Americas and the article "Mysteries of Bird Migration," this piece contains an abundance of information on migratory routes as well as beautiful illustrations of 67 bird species.

Best For
All Grades

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S K

  USGS scientists use this satellite image of the entire 64,000-square-mile drainage basin of the Chesapeake Bay to provide a snapshot of surface conditions, including vegetation that can be compared with historical and future images to help produce a report card of progress or setbacks in meeting resource management goals. The information is designed to help improve the understanding of the entire Bay ecosystem and enhance the ability to predict and measure the effects.

Best For
Grades 9-12+ (Ages 14+)

Subjects
Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S 

Originally produced only in woodcut form, the Chronicon Nurembergense map was published in National Geographic magazine in April 1893. This Latin version was first published in April of 1493, followed by a German version in December of the same year.

Best For
All Grades

Subjects
Science, Geography

Appropriate For
T I F S K

  National Geographic created this map to show how potential relative sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay may make certain areas vulnerable to inundation. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and one of the world’s most biologically rich and productive. For decades, because of the high population of its watershed, the bay has been degraded by toxic contaminants, excessive nutrients, and sedimentation that have shrunk critical habitats. Now climate change threatens to undo conservation efforts. Bay water is two degrees warmer than in the 1960’s, and while global seawater has risen at the rate of six inches in 100 years, the bay has risen nearly a foot because of its naturally subsiding coastal land.