Mapmakers from the time periods being study can reveal the agendas and perceptions of the people during the time period.  In addition, information about routes and exploration can provide an insight into the experiences of past explorers and developers. 

• Canada
• United States
• International

To search for more maps and atlases, visit the Map Library located on the first floor of Scott Library.

For more sources, including secondary sources on maps, visit the Geography Research Guide.

Canada

• Champlain Society Digital Collection: Eighty-three volumes relating to exploration and discovery over a span of three centuries of Canadian history which includes maps as illustrations that accompany text.
• Early Encounters in North America: Peoples, Cultures and the Environment:: Over 100 digitized maps that were created by mapmakers from Canada, the United States, Britain and Europe from 1534 to 1860 with source details.
• Gallica: Digital Library of the National Library of France: The collection includes maps of the Canada, United States, Britain and Europe which date back to the 16th century.  Themes covered vary from exploration, military, nautical to secret missions.  Please be aware that the maps descriptions are in French.
• In Pursuit of Adventure: The Fur Trade in Canada and the North West Company : Click “Maps/Routes” to search for maps, then click “historical maps” for maps made for the Northwest Company.
• Our Roots:Canada’s Local Histories Online: Illustrated maps accompanying text and reports created by Canadian companies and engineers.
• W. H. Pugsley Collection of Early Canadian Maps: A collection of 50 early Canadian maps, dating from 1556 to 1857, to the McGill University Libraries. This set of maps tells the story of the discovery and exploration of North America. The oldest map in the Pugsley collection is from Ramusio’s Delle navigationi et Viaggi, vol. 3, 1556, the first book published to present a detailed account of North America.

United States

• American Memory – Maps: The comprehensive collection includes maps from the 16th century to the 20th century covering themes in the military, transportation, national parks, panoramic maps and other cartographic maps.
• Documenting the American South : This collection is called “North Carolina Maps” and includes historical maps that have been digitized.  Manuscript maps, maps from books and atlases, selected government maps all published prior to 1923.  Although the collection’s focus is on North Carolina, there are a few North American maps.
• Empire Online: To access maps, click “View Topics” in the top right corner, find and click “Maps” to see all available maps.  The maps will range from the 19th to 20th century.
• Gallica: Digital Library of the National Library of France: The collection includes maps of the Canada, United States, Britain and Europe which date back to the 16th century.  Themes covered vary from exploration, military, nautical to secret missions.  Please be aware that the maps descriptions are in French.
• NYPL Digital Gallery: Provides access to over 300,000 images digitized from primary sources and printed rarities in the collections of The New York Public Library, including illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints and photographs, illustrated books, printed ephemera, and more.

International

• Gallica: Digital Library of the National Library of France: The collection includes maps of the Canada, United States, Britain and Europe which date back to the 16th century.  Themes covered vary from exploration, military, nautical to secret missions.  Please be aware that the maps descriptions are in French.