A Year in Review: Newly Scanned Maps of 2025
Posted by: Julie Stoner
This post highlights some of the maps that were scanned and made available on the Library website in 2025.
Posted in: Geography and Map Division, Series: A Year in Review
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Colonial Contestations for the “First City of America”: The History of Santo Domingo in Maps
Posted by: Tim St. Onge
Santo Domingo is the largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean islands and the oldest continuously inhabited, European-established city in the Americas. Maps spanning over five hundred years of colonial contestation in the region provide a powerful account of the city’s historical importance for European colonial ambitions in the New World.
Posted in: 16th century cartography, 17th century cartography, 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, City Histories, Military History
Maps on Fabric: A Selection of Textile Cartography
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
The Library of Congress holds an extensive collection of maps that have been printed, drawn and embroidered on cloth. This post features a few examples of textile maps held in the Geography and Map Division.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, 21st century cartography, American History, Asian History, European History, Military History
Exploring Maps of the Revolutionary War Battle of Camden
Posted by: Tim St. Onge
Taking place 245 years ago this month, the Battle of Camden was a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. Through a series of battlefield maps by different cartographers, we can see how battle lines spelled disaster for American forces, but would also yield lessons to help win the war the following year.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, American History, Military History
Pre-Satellite Maps of the Sundarbans Delta: An Interview with a Philip Lee Phillips Society Fellow
Posted by: Abraham Parrish
Interview with Dr. Shouraseni Sen Roy, the Geography and Map Division's latest Phillip Lee Phillips Society Fellow, who has just finished her 8-week stint here at the Library of Congress to conduct research on her topic of historical analysis of transformations in the Sundarbans Delta.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Asian History, Physical Geography
Exporting the American Aesthetic: filming location maps of Los Angeles
Posted by: Meagan Snow
The Geography & Map Division recently acquired a rare collection of maps showing the locations of television and movie filming locations in Los Angeles, California from the 1980s. This blog post explores the cartographic and cultural value of these exceedingly unique and eminently practical maps of Los Angeles.
Posted in: 21st century cartography, American History, Guest Posts
Tracking “Tartary” on Western Maps
Posted by: Amelia Raines
For several hundred years, the term "Tartary" - or its Latin version, Tartaria - appeared on European maps, usually floating somewhere between Eastern Europe and China. This post explores the etymology of the place name and the various regions to which it referred.
Posted in: 15th century cartography, 16th century cartography, 17th century cartography, 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Asian History, Borders, European History
“Scenery Unsurpassed”: Real Estate Promotion Through Maps
Posted by: Tim St. Onge
The Geography and Map Division collections include vibrant nineteenth century maps showcasing brand new American communities and promises of the "good life" to prospective lot or home buyers. This post explores the common themes and fascinating details of these highly artistic maps designed to lure investment.
Posted in: 19th century cartography, American History, City Histories
Virtual Orientation: Maps of World War II
Posted by: Amelia Raines
Join us on Tuesday, June 10 at 3pm Eastern for a virtual orientation to maps of the Second World War at the Library of Congress.
Posted in: Events, Geography and Map Division