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Digital Cartographic Data Holdings

Electronic Records Reference Report

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Introduction

This reference report highlights a selection of electronic records containing digital cartographic data or digitized maps open to the public in the custody of the National Archives. The data files contain some or all vector format data, wherein linear features are identified by directional pairs of x,y coordinates. The data is suitable for use in Geographic Information Systems for purposes of displaying and allowing for analysis of spatial attributes and characteristics. The digitized maps are usually in PDF format.

Many electronic records series, not listed here, include data elements that are geographic in nature. Such files may also be used as input to Geographic Information Systems. They include files that identify latitude and longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTMs), census tracts, cities/towns, counties, states, or ZIP codes, etc.

Full descriptions of the series listed in this report are in the National Archives Catalog. Users can search the Catalog by title, National Archives Identifier, type of archival material, or keyword.

Some of the series and files listed in this report are accessible online:

Download – This is a link for downloading or viewing the files from the Catalog. For more details on downloading files, please review the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Researchers may order copies of the electronic files for a cost-recovery fee and analyze the records directly, using whatever hardware and software they have. For more information on ordering data files, see: Ordering Information for Electronic Records.

Record Group 22: Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Critical Habitats Electronic Map Files, 2000 - 2014
National Archives Identifier: 5709895
Files: 2,417 ESRI SHaPe files, 308 data files, 877 electronic documentation files

The records in this series are geographical depictions of critical habitats throughout the United States. Critical habitats are both the specific areas that plant or animal species need to survive but also may include areas required for recovery of that species that the agency maintains as environmental management.
National Wetlands Inventory Electronic Map Files, 1974 - 2015
National Archives Identifier: 784038
Files: 28,937 data files, 692 electronic documentation files

The National Wetlands Inventory Electronic Map Files contain records that map the locations and classifications of wetlands in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.
National Wildlife Refuge System Geospatial Data Files, 1997 - 2005
National Archives Identifier: 1257471
Files: 1 ESRI SHaPe file and 1 data file

This series contains records depicting the locations of the network of protected land for the preservation of animal and plant wildlife and includes data dating back to 1903.

Record Group 26: Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

Iceberg Charts, 2001 - 2015
National Archives Identifier: 48177533
Files: 15 Portable Document Format files, 1 electronic documentation file
Online Access: Download

This series contains charts in Portable Document Format (PDF) of complied statistical data by the North American Ice Service. The charts define the extent of the iceberg danger in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Record Group 29: Records of the Bureau of the Census

Geographic Reference Files and Related Computer Programs from the 20th Census of Population and Housing, 1972 - 1983
National Archives Identifier: 593968
Online Access: Download

This series contains files with political and/or census geographic referencing relating to the 1980 Census. This series includes the following digital cartographic data files:
- Geographic Base File / Dual Independent Map Encoding (GBF/DIME) Files
  National Archives Identifier: 594203
  Online Access: Download
  Files: 338 (one per Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area)
  
  The GBF/DIME Files provide computerized representations of the Metropolitan Map Series (MMS) and includes streets, address ranges, and other geographic codes for metropolitan areas. Each records in the files identifies a segment of a feature on a map by its node points (intersections or terminations of selected map features), address ranges, and associated geographic codes. These files were digitized by determining x,y coordinate values for each node point. Some of the computer files used in preparing the GBF/DIME Files are also available as part of the series Geographic Reference Files and Related Computer Programs Files from the 20th Census of Population and Housing.
Geographic Reference Files from the 21st Census of Population and Housing, 1990 - 2003
National Archives Identifier: 626739

This series contains the geographic reference files the Bureau of the Census used to administer the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. This series includes the following digital cartographic data files from the Census' Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) database:
- TIGER/Line Files, 1990 Issuance
  National Archives Identifier: 626755
  Files: 36,346 data files and 28 electronic documentation files
  
  The TIGER/Line, 1990 Issuance Files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database. The files consist of line segments representing physical features and governmental and statistical boundaries. The boundary information in the files are for statistical data collection and tabulation purposes only.
- TIGER/Line Files, 1992 Issuance
  National Archives Identifier: 626769
  Files: 39,911 data files and 20 electronic documentation files
  
  The TIGER/Line, 1992 Issuance Files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database and contain the same data as the TIGER/Line, 1990 Issuance (see above). The TIGER/LINE, 1992 Issuance files also include records that show additions, corrections, and updates made to the geographic entities and codes since the 1990 census.
Geographic Reference Files from the 22nd Census of Population and Housing, 2000 - 2006
National Archives Identifier: 597379?

This series contains the geographic reference files the Bureau of the Census used to administer the 2000 Census of Population and Housing. This series includes the following digital cartographic data files from the Census' Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) database:
- TIGER/Line Files, 108th Congressional District Census 2000
  National Archives Identifier: 597386
  Files: 53,445 (one for each county or statistical equivalent)
  
  The 108th Congressional District (CD) Census 2000 TIGER / Line files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database. The files consist of line segments representing physical features and governmental and statistical boundaries.
- TIGER/Line Files, 2006 Second Edition
  National Archives Identifier: 1600911
  Files: 58,215 data files, 1 Portable Document Format (PDF) electronic documentation file, 56 record count files, and 3,232 Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) geospatial metadata files.
  
  Both these set of files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database. The files consist of line segments representing physical features and governmental and statistical boundaries. The boundary information in the files are for statistical data collection and tabulation purposes only.
Large Format Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier: 97532986
Files: 6 PDFs
Online Access: Download

This series consists of maps that show tabulation geography to support the 2010 Census data release.
Tribal Tract Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archive Identifier: 159010388
Files: 1325 PDFs and Text files
Online Access: Download

This series consist of federal American Indian reservation-based maps that show and label tribal census tracts and tribal block group as delineated to support 2010 to support 2010 Census data dissemination.
Census Tract Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier: 159010386
Files: 4,924 PDFs; 3,435 electronic documentation files
Online Access: Download
This series consists of county-based maps that show and label the census tracts as delineated to support 2010 Census data dissemination.
Public Law 94-171 County Block Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier: 159009825
Files: 114,682 PDF; 3,300 electronic documentation files
Online Access: Download

This series consists of large -scale maps that show the boundaries and numbers for all census blocks within a county for the 2010 Census.
Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier: 159009827
Files: 2,953 PDFs
Online Access: Download

This series consists of maps that show each Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) as delineated based on the results of the 2010 Census.
School District Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier: 159009829
Files: 3,334 PDFs; 2980 electronic documentation files
Online Access: Download

This series consists of county-based maps the show and label the unified, secondary, and elementary school districts as delineated by the state participants of the School District Review Program for the 2010 Census.
Public Law 94-171 Voting District and State Legislature District Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier 159009826
Files: 13,268 PDFs; 6598 electronic documentation files
Online Access: Download

This series consists of county-based maps the show and label the state legislative districts and/or voting districts (VTD/SLD) for the 2010 Census.
Urban Area Reference Maps from the 23rd Census of Population and Housing, 2010-2010
National Archives Identifier: 159009828
Files: 3620 files
Online Access: Download

This series consists of urban area-based maps for each urbanized area (UA) and urban cluster (UC) defined as a result of the 2010 Census.

Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management

We have received additional series from the Bureau of Land Management containing geospatial data for several western states (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Texas) that are not listed in the reference report, but descriptions are available in the National Archives Catalog.

Algodones Dunes Monitoring Studies Files, 1998 - 2005, covering the period: 1977 - 2005
National Archives Identifier: 1068146
Files: 18 Portable Document Files
Online Access: Download
This series contains records describing the status of particular species of plants in the agency-managed areas in the Algodones Dunes in Imperial County, California.
Forest Inventory Operations (FOI) Data Files for Oregon, 2000 - 5/31/2006
National Archives Identifier: 961699
Files: 1 ESRI Shapefile, 3 electronic documentation files

The Forest Inventory Operations Data Files for Oregon contain records describing the status of forests in Oregon managed by the Oregon State Office of the Bureau of Land Management.
Grazing Allotment and Pastures Files, 2000 - 2009
National Archives Identifier: 5712162
Files: 14 data files, 2 electronic documentation files

This series contains several Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) databases that depict the grazing allotments and pastures in Oregon and Washington states. Among the geographical areas that these files depict are lands that the Bureau of Land Management state and district offices manage in the two states.
Idaho Administrative Boundaries Files, 2000 - 2008
National Archives Identifier: 5708201
Files: 42 data files, 7 electronic documentation files

This series contains several Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) databases that depict the administrative boundaries in the entire state of Idaho. Among the geographical areas that these files depict are lands that the Bureau of Land Management state and district offices manage in Idaho.
Idaho Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Boundaries Files, 2000 - 2008
National Archives Identifier: 5708191
Files: 6 data files, 1 electronic documentation file

This series contains several Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) databases that depict the areas of critical environmental concern boundaries in the entire state of Idaho.
Idaho Cadastral Files, 2000 - 2008
National Archives Identifier: 5664296
Files: 112 data files, 16 electronic documentation files

This series contains several Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) databases that depict the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) sections and townships in the entire state of Idaho. Among the geographical areas that these files depict are lands that the Bureau of Land Management state and district offices manage in Idaho.
Idaho Elevation Files, 2000 - 2008
National Archives Identifier: 5708514
Files: 12 data files, 2 electronic documentation files

This series contains several Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) databases that depict elevation around parts of the field office. The district office in Idaho Falls created this data.

National Landscape Conservation System Map Image Files (NLCS), 6/2000 - 7/2005
National Archives Identifier: 731301
Files: 12 map image files
Online Access: Download

This series contains digital images of maps identifying some of the agency's premier land areas that are managed at the local level. The files include information dating back to 1970.

Nevada Land Use Plan Boundary Polygon Files, 1998 - 9/2007
National Archives Identifier: 2838246
Files: 7 data files, 3 electronic documentation files

This series contains records that geographically depict the current status of completed land use plans the Bureau of Land Management manages in Nevada.

Nevada Areas of Environmental Concern Line Files, 1998 - 9/2007
National Archives Identifier: 2827780
Files: 7 data files, 3 electronic documentation files

This series contains records that geographically depict the areas of critical environmental concern that Bureau of Land Management manages in Nevada. These designated areas are intended to preserve areas with a unique feature type, such as biological, geological, historical or a scenic vista. The data elements in the database include left and right polygon.
Nevada Areas of Environmental Concern Polygon Files, 1998 - 9/2007
National Archives Identifier: 2827785
Files: 14 data files, 6 electronic documentation files

Both these series contain records that geographically depict the areas of critical environmental concern that the Bureau of Land Management manages in Nevada.
National Landscape Conservation System Data Files (NLCS), 2000 - 2005, covering the period: 1970 - 2005
National Archives Identifier: 657695
Files:10 data files
Online Access: Download

This series contains records describing some of the agency's premier land areas that are managed at the local level.

Nevada Wilderness Study Areas Files, 1998 - 9/2007
National Archives Identifier: 3514873
Files: 14 data files, 6 electronic documentation files

This series contain records that geographically depict the wilderness study areas that the Bureau of Land Management manages in Nevada. The series includes both polygon and line files.
Oregon and Washington Coastal Areas Electronic Map Files, 2000 - 2009
National Archives Identifier: 6003857
Files: 14 data files, 5 electronic documentation files

This series consists of several Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) database files depicting the ocean coastal areas in the states of Oregon and Washington.
Oregon and Washington Wild and Scenic Rivers Electronic Data Map Files, 2000 - 2009
National Archives Identifier: 6110072
Files: 21 files that are components of 3 ESRI Shapefiles, 5 electronic documentation files, 3 data files with attribute data

This series contains Geographic Information System (GIS) data for maps identifying some of the wild and scenic rivers throughout the Oregon and Washington state area.
Oregon and Washington Wilderness Characteristics Data Files, 2000 - 2009
National Archives Identifier: 5927671
Files: 22 data files, 6 electronic documentation files
Online Access: Download

This series consists of records that geographically depict the wilderness characteristics areas that the Bureau of Land Management managed in Oregon and Washington.
Special Status Species Occurrence Files for Idaho, 1990 - 2005
National Archives Identifier: 916234
Files: 4 Portable Document Format files

This series contains records describing the status of particular species of plants and animals in the agency-managed areas throughout the state of Idaho.

Record Group 57: Records of the United States Geological Survey

Digital Line Graph (DLG) Files, 1980 - 1992
National Archives Identifier: 609031
Files: 177 data files

The Digital Line Graph Files contain data that are digital vector representations of cartographic information derived from the sectional maps of the 1970 National Atlas of the United States of America. These files are in the Optional distribution format, which contains topological linkages that are explicitly encoded for node and area elements as well as for line elements.
Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangles (DOQQs), 1997 - 2009
National Archives Identifier: 47747721
Files: 233,612 electronic data files in GeoTagged Image Format File (TIFF) Format and 233,949 electronic documentation files in ASCII format

This series consists of imagery data for standard 7.5 minute quarter sections of a quadrangle area in the United States. The data are the combination of an image of a photograph with the geometric qualities of a map.
Land Use and Land Cover Digital Data Files, ca.1986 - 1990
National Archives Identifier: 4522052
Files: 2,765 data files

This series consists of a set of Land Use and Land Cover spatial data files consisting of Land Cover, political units, hydrologic units, census county subdivisions, Federal land ownership, Pasteand State land ownership. The data are based on the manual interpretation of 1970s and 1980s aerial photography.

Record Group 79: Records of the National Park Service

Maps of the National Parks, 2004 - 2012
National Archives Identifier: 7850355
Files: 799 Portable Document Format (PDF) files, 1 electronic documentation file
Online Access: Download
This series contains digital maps that depict the national parks, national monuments and historic sites in the United States. The records contain roads and nature trails, visitors centers and parking areas, attractions and other places of interest for tourists and visitors to the sites.

Record Group 237: Records of the Federal Aviation Administration

Terminal Procedures and Airport Diagrams Files, 1/7/2016 - 1/28/2021
National Archives Identifier: 149268730
Files: Portable Document Format (PDF) files and XML index files
Online Access: Download
This series includes Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) charts, Departure Procedure (DP) charts, Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) charts, Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP) charts, and Airport Diagrams (AD).

Record Group 311: Records of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Flood Elevation Determination Maps, 2006 - 2016
National Archives Identifier: 68121280
Files: 2 MapInfo Interchange Index (ATX) files, 117 ESRI Character Encoding (CPG) files, 612 Comma Separated Value (CSV) files, 612 dBASE Table Format (DBF) files, 65 ESRI ArcInfo Interchange (e00) files, 427 Keyhole Markup Language( KML) files, 65 MapInfo Interchange Format (MID) files, 65 Adobe FrameMaker Interchange (MIF) files, 286 Portable Document Format (PDF) files, 470 Projection Format (PRJ) files, 3,882 Portable Network Graphics (PNG) , 3,812 PGW world files, 428 Shapefiles (SHP), 341 Spatial Index Format (SBX) files, 341 Spatial Index Format (SBN) files, 414 Shape Index (SHX) files, 3 Text (TXT) files, 975 Tag Image Bitmap Files (TIF), 914 TFW world files, 354 Extensible Markup Language (XML) files

This series consists of Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) data in community based vector files and associated attributes depicting flood risk information and supporting data for flood-prone areas within the United States of America.

Record Group 370: Records of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Large Marine Ecosystems Electronic Data Map Files, 2002 - 2010
National Archives Identifier: 6664689
Files: 12 data files that are the components of 2 ESRI SHaPe Files, 3 electronic textual documentation files, 2 data files with attribute data
Online Access: Download

This series contains Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) Program data for maps identifying worldwide LMEs. LMEs are natural regions of ocean space encompassing coastal waters from river basins and estuaries to the seaward boundary of continental shelves and the outer margins of coastal currents.
Maritime Zones and Boundaries Data Map Files, 2002 - 2011
National Archives Identifier: 6341151
Files: 5 files that are components of an ESRI Shapefile, 1 electronic documentation file, 1 data file with attribute data
Online Access: Download

This series consists of a geographical depiction of the official ocean zones and maritime boundaries of the United States and its territories.
Nautical Chart Database Files, 1970 - 1976
National Archives Identifier: 604443
Files: 876 data files
Online Accesss: Download

The Nautical Chart Database Files contain topographic and hydrographic records. The topographic records cover the U.S. Gulf coast and the Atlantic Coast south of Georgia. The hydrographic records include 90% of the U.S. coast to a depth of 200 feet. The records contain coded references to the source document, date of observation, and a coded description of the observation itself.

Record Group 399: Records of the Federal Railroad Administration

Railroad Network System Primary Layer Master Files, 2012 - 2015
National Archives Identifier: 44164725
Files: 7 SHaPe (shp) files, 7 Keyhole Markup Language (kml) files, 7 dBASE Table Format (dbf) files, 7 Comma Separated Value (csv) files, 7 Projection Format (prj) files, 3 Spatial Index Format (sbn) files, 3 Spatial Index Format (sbx) files, 7 Shape Index Format (shx) files, 7 Extensible Markup Language (XML) files, 1 code page (cpg) file

This series consists of a link and node vector database and geographical depictions that represent the rail segments in North America. The data set covers all 50 of the United States in addition to the District of Columbia.

Records Group 406: Records of the Federal Highway Administration

National Scenic Byways Program Map Files, 1995 - 2013
National Archives Identifier: 23857473
Files: 281 Portable Network Graphic (PNG) files, 222 Text files, 220 Graphics Interchange Format files, 27 Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG) image files.
Online Access: Download

This series contains image and text files from byways program, a grass roots collaborative effort to recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Roads identified in the files are recognized as All-American Roads or Scenic Byways based on archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities. The records contain maps of the states where the roads are location and more detailed maps of the roads.

Record Group 412: Records of the Environmental Protection Agency

Final Deliverables and Reports, 2003 - 2008
National Archives Identifier: 5725865
Files: 496 Portable Document Format (PDF) files, 157 digital images, 30 data files that are components of 8 ESRI Shape Files, 45 other electronic files

This series contains two different reports and one review from the Environmental Protection Agency: the Massachusetts Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Manual, the Atlas of Stormwater Discharges in the Buzzards Bay Watershed, and Review and Evaluation of Models of Dermal Absorption from Contaminated Water and Soil.

Related Information

Electronic Records Reference Report, 1980 Census (20th Census) of Population and Housing
Electronic Records Reference Report, 1990 Census (21st Census) of Population and Housing
ESRI Shapefile Technical Description: An ESRI White Paper - July 1998?

?Other geospatial data is available via: www.data.gov.
The U.S. Geological Survey makes various geospatial data available at:https://www.usgs.gov/products/data-and-tools/gis-data

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January 2024

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