LibGuides: Creative Writing: Places


Library Research Guides

Atlases/Maps

Atlas of North America by H. J. de Blij (Editor)
Call Number: Main Library Reference G1105 .A8 2005 Atlas Case
ISBN: 019516993X
Publication Date: 2005-03-24
Atlas of the World by Oxford (Editor)
Call Number: Main Library Reference G1021 .G4125 2013
ISBN: 9780199328468
Publication Date: 2013-10-01
Historical Atlas of the United States by Derek Hayes
Call Number: Main Library Reference G1201 .S1 H4 2007
ISBN: 9780520250369
Publication Date: 2006-10-01

Europa World Yearbook This link opens in a new window
First published in 1926, the year book is renowned as one of the world's leading reference works, covering political and economic information in more than 250 countries and territories.

Google Earth
Free, downloadable map software has more features (layers like 3D buildings, borders, etc.) than its lighter weight counterpart, Google Maps (better for navigating). You'll find Google Earth installed on all public computers on campus.
Google Maps
Lighter weight, web-based version of Google Earth. Street view, where available, is particularly useful for getting the feel for a place.

The Natural World

Field guides are a useful tool for identifying and describing the plants and animals that inhabit a geographic area.

National Audubon Society Regional Guide to California by Peter Alden; National Audubon Society Staff; NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Call Number: Main Stacks QH105.C2 N356 1998
ISBN: 0679446788
Publication Date: 1998-05-26
National Audubon Society Regional Guide to Florida by Peter Alden; National Audubon Society Staff
Call Number: Main Stacks QH105.F6 N38 1998
ISBN: 067944677X
Publication Date: 1998-05-26
National Audubon Society Regional Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States by National Audubon Society Staff; Peter Alden; Chanticleer Press Staff; Chanticleer Press Inc.
Call Number: Main Stacks QH104.5.M45 N38 1999
ISBN: 0679446826
Publication Date: 1999-03-23
National Audubon Society Regional Guide to New England by Peter Alden; National Audubon Society Staff; NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Call Number: Main Library Reference QH104.5.N4 N38 1998
ISBN: 0679446761
Publication Date: 1998-05-26
National Audubon Society Regional Guide to the Pacific Northwest by Peter Alden; National Audubon Society Staff; NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Call Number: Main Stacks QH104.5.N6 N38 1998
ISBN: 0679446796
Publication Date: 1998-05-26
National Audubon Society Regional Guide to the Rocky Mountain States by National Audubon Society Staff; Peter Alden; NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Call Number: Main Stacks QH104.5.R6 N38 1999
ISBN: 0679446818
Publication Date: 1999-03-23
National Audubon Society Regional Guide to the Southeastern States by National Audubon Society Staff; Peter Alden
Call Number: Main Stacks QH104.5.S59 N38 1999
ISBN: 0679446834
Publication Date: 1999-09-28
Eastern forests by Sutton, Ann
Call Number: Main Stacks QH104 .S88 1985
ISBN: 0394731263
Publication Date: 1985
Naturalist's Guide to Field Plants by Donald D. Cox; Shirley A. Peron (Illustrator)
Call Number: Main Stacks QK115 .C7155 2005
ISBN: 0815607806
Publication Date: 2004-01-01

All About Birds
Online guide to birds produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Location-specific imagery

Google Earth
Free, downloadable map software. In addition to Google Map's street view feature, Google Earth includes additional layers like 3D buildings, Panorimo photos, weather, etc.
Google Maps
Lighter weight, web-based version of Google Earth. Street view, where available, is particularly useful for getting the feel for a place.
TinyEye
Reverse image search that allows you to upload or paste the link for an image you already have and find out if it or similar images are available on the web. Helpful if you have a picture you want to find out more about.

Architecture

Note: Architectural information also tends to be regional and the following are a few American examples. You might also look for travel guides or histories on specific cities or regions.

American Architecture by Cyril M. Harris
Call Number: Main Library Reference NA705 .H36 1998
ISBN: 0393730298
Publication Date: 1998-07-01
Dictionary of Architecture and Construction by Cyril M. Harris
Call Number: Main Library Reference NA31 .H32 2006
ISBN: 0071452370
Publication Date: 2005-08-15
Encyclopedia of American Architecture by R. Packard
Call Number: Main Library Reference NA705 .P3 1995
ISBN: 0070480109
Publication Date: 1994-08-01
Encyclopedia of Urban America by Neil L. Shumsky (Editor)
Call Number: Main Library Reference HT123 .E5 1998
ISBN: 0874368464
Publication Date: 1998-10-01
Encyclopedia of Rural America by Gary A. Goreham (Editor)
Call Number: Main Library Reference E169.12 .E5 199
ISBN: 0874368421
Publication Date: 1997-12-01