Geography: A Research Guide

Geography describes and analyzes the spatial variations in physical, biological, and human phenomena that occur on the surface. It is the scientific study of the Earth's surface. The resources listed below provide students and researchers with the basic introductory material in the field. If you need assistance in locating books that the library does not own the librarian can help you find it at another library. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

Biographical Dictionary of Geography by Robert P. Larkin and Gary L. Peters. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993. ISBN: 0313276226.
Examines a cross section of geographers, from ancient to modern times. Entries contain selected bibliographies of works by and about the person.

The Columbia Gazetteer of the World by Saul B. Cohen. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0231110405.
Over 160,000 entries on places in the world including economic, political, historical, cultural descriptions, population, latitude, longitude, and elevation.

Dictionary of Physical Geography by David S. G. Thomas and Andrew Goudie. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2000. ISBN: 0631204725.
The third edition of this comprehensive encyclopedic dictionary covers physical geography and provides an essential reference for all students and lecturers.

Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1997. ISBN: 0877795460.
A listing of over 48,000 mountains, lakes, towns, and countries including pronunciation, location, and brief textual data. Older editions are also useful.

Oxford Dictionary of the World by David M. Munro. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. ISBN: 0198661843.
Describes features of the physical world and notes the political landscape through statistics and data on nations, regions, peoples, languages, religions, cities, and major towns.

Modern Dictionary of Geography by Ronald J. Small, Simon R.J. Ross, and Michael E. Witherick. New York: Arnold; Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN: 034080713X.
Provides a comprehensive guide to, and in many instances an explanation of the principles, concepts and terminology of modern school geography.

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CIA World Factbook
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Annually profiles the economy, government, land, demographics, and national defense establishments of nations and other political entities.

GEOnet Names Server (GNS)
http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/index.html
Provides access to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names' database of foreign geographic feature names.

National Geographic Maps and Geography
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/
Online edition of the magazine, plus features, news, maps, and travel guides.

Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin Library
www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/index.html
Online maps of current importance and general interest.

USGS Geography Information
http://geography.usgs.gov
Provides scientific information to describe and interpret America's landscape by mapping the terrain, monitoring changes over time, and analyzing how and why these changes have occurred.

The American Geographical Society (AGS)
www.amergeog.org
Encourages research in geography and dissemination of geographic knowledge. Sponsors research projects. Operates travel and educational programs.

Association of American Geographers (AAG)
www.aag.org
Scientific and educational society founded in 1904. Members share interests in the theory, methods, and practice of geography and geographic education.

National Geographic Online
www.nationalgeographic.com
Sponsors expeditions and research in geography, natural history, archaeology, astronomy, ethnology, and oceanography; sends writers and photographers throughout the world; produces magazines, maps, books, television documentaries, films, educational media, and information services for media.

Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH)
www.ipgh.org.mx
Countries of the Americas united to promote and publicize studies in cartography, geography, geophysics, and related sciences. Offers educational courses, workshops, and seminars. Publishes 7 periodical journals.