Map Resources & Datasets

When using maps as part of a presentation or within a research paper, proper credit must be given. Most of the map resources below have information sections with permission guidelines and citation information. Please check the information regarding use of maps on each web site.

General Map Resources

• Federal Depository Library Program Guide to Maps and Geospatial Resources
• CIA Cartography Center Maps – Historical examples of insightful and informative maps from CIA cartographers.
• CIA Maps – Public domain maps of 110 countries or locations across the globe.
• Library of Congress Map Collections – Searchable collection of digitized maps in the public domain.
• National Defense University Library Guide to Map Resources
• Perry-Castañeda Library | Maps of Asia – Historical maps from the University of Texas Libraries.
• Perry-Castañeda Library | Maps of Australia and the Pacific – Historical maps from the University of Texas Libraries.
• United Nations Maps & Geospatial Services –Traditional print maps as well as digital maps from the UN. Generous permissions for printing, modification, and republishing.

Interactive Maps and Data Resources

• Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project – Register to access maps and data.
• Corruption Perceptions Index – From Transparency International
• CrisisWatch – International Crisis Group’s conflict tracking tool monitors global instability and areas at risk of escalation.
• Global Conflict Tracker – Interactive map of ongoing conflicts by the Council on Foreign Relations’ Center for Preventative Action.
• Global Fishing Watch – Interactive map monitoring fishing vessel activities from 2012 to the present and presented in partnership by Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google.
• Global Terrorism Index – Vision of Humanity’s map ranks the impact and trends of terrorism on the countries of the world.
• Mapping Militants Project – Interactive diagrams that “map” relationships among militant groups and track their interactions over time.
• Mapping Global Distribution of Critical Materials – Fletcher School of Diplomacy student project with GIS spatial analysis, geopolitical data, and story maps for critical minerals.
• Marine Traffic AIS Tracking – Interactive map that tracks maritime AIS transponders globally in real-time.
• NASA FIRMS – U.S. space agency’s worldwide satellite map of active fires and thermal anomalies.
• Open Railway Map – Interactive open-source and open data map of the world’s railway infrastructure.
• Piracy & Armed Robbery Map – Interactive map of reported acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre.
• SAR Ship Detection – An open-source ship detection tool using Synthetic Aperture Radar and Google’s Earth Engine application.
• Submarine Cable Map – Interactive map of international submarine cable systems from TeleGeography.

Indo-Pacific Maps and Data Resources

• Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative Maps – Interactive maps from the Center for Strategic and International Studies project on sea power and maritime claims in the Indo-Pacific.
• Beyond Parallel Maps & Datasets – Maps and data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies project on North Korea featuring undeclared missile operating bases, private markets, garbage filled balloon launches, and more.
• China Connects – International Institute for Strategic Studies interactive map for the Belt and Road Initiative and Digital Silk Road.
• Deep South Watch – Interactive map of Thailand’s violent insurgency in the southern provinces by the Deep South Watch organization.
• Mekong Infrastructure Tracker Dashboard – Stimson Center’s dashboard with interactive maps and data for the Mekong Region.
• Myanmar Conflict Map – International Institute for Strategic Studies interactive map for the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar.
• Nickel Projects in Indonesia Map – Interactive map of nickel mining, processing, and battery recycling projects in Indonesia from the China Global South Project.
• North Korea Political Prison Camps – Interactive map from the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.
• Pacific Aid Map – Interactive map from the Lowy Institute with data on the flow of international development and aid to Pacific island countries.
• Southeast Asia Aid Map – Interactive map from the Lowy Institute with data on the flow of international development and aid to Southeast Asian countries.
• Xinjiang Data Project Map – Interactive map from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute exploring human rights situation for Uyghurs and other non-Han nationalities Xinjiang Province.