Designing a new National Atlas of the United States

This paper describes plans for a new National Atlas of the United States and a working electronic prototype developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In collaboration with federal agencies and private partners, the project proposes to integrate geographic reference, environmental, and socioeconomic data through common coordinate systems, comparable spatial resolutions, and logical consistency. Users would select, combine, display, and analyze datasets to create their own maps. Products are planned initially as a CD-ROM with GIS software, followed by Internet information and printed maps, serving education, the general public, and public policy users. The USGS would consolidate, evaluate, and integrate authoritative datasets, while nongovernmental partners would supply accessible software and publishing, marketing, and distribution expertise. The prototype, already undergoing user evaluation, demonstrates thematic browsing, overlay analysis, buffer generation, gazetteer searches, and Web links. Alternative designs placing more data and software functions on network servers remain under evaluation. Marketable products are anticipated as early as May 1998, with timing and formats subject to negotiation.