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Loyola University Chicago Libraries

General Reference: Maps & Atlases

This is a guide for finding general reference tools.

Maps & Atlases

A map is a representation of a part of the whole of the surface of the earth or of a celestial body, delineated on a plane surface, each point in the drawing intended to correspond to a geographical or celestial position.  Maps may be of cities, villages, or smaller areas such as wards, districts, parks, campuses, etc., regardless of scale or extent of area. An atlas is a book consisting of maps, charts, and graphs.