Maps are well suited to the image-intensive nature of the World Wide Web, and interest in maps, mapping, and related Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing is widespread. Maps of the world, various regions, and countries are all available on-line, as are discussions and tutorials on their use. In addition, most map companies and GIS providers have sites, as do government agencies.

A good place to start browsing is with one of the many index sites, all of them with the majority of linkage references in common.

Maps on Other Web Sites is among the best indexes, compiled and updated by the Perry-Castañeda Library map collection at The University of Texas, Austin. The home page at www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/map_sites/map_sites.html contains an exhaustive listing of "general map sites" you will want to explore, and has options to additional pages on city, state, country, historical, and weather map sites. The option "cartographic references" includes an extensive listing of map projections, each of which when selected opens to a brief description of the projection's qualities, uses, and visual examples of its construction and appearance.

Among the several useful Infomine: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections of the University of California Library is "Maps & GIS." Access the topic through http://infomine.ucr.edu/search/mapssearch.phtml. The Association of American Geographer's Cartography Specialty Group home page features an extensive selection of "Cartographic Links" at www.csun.edu/~hfgeg003/csg/cartolink.html. And Oddens's Bookmarks from the University of Utrecht at http://kartoserver.frw.ruu.nl/html/staff/oddens/oddens.htm advertises over 10,000 links and has been praised as "probably the most complete storehouse of things . . . cartographic on the WWW."

Many websites offer instructional material about maps and map projections. In addition to those cited here, others will be located as you pursue the leads and links suggested in the index sites noted above. For a start, remember the map projection information offered through the "Cartographic References" option of the University of Texas Perry-Castañeda Library at www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/map_sites/map_sites.html. From the University of Colorado, Boulder, The Geographer's Craft program of the Department of Geography has a detailed "Overview" discussion of map projections at www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/mapproj/mapproj.html. The tutorial authored by Peter H. Dana provides outstanding and complete introductory coverage of projections that will further your understanding of the topic. That same home page also provides access to related courses, also by Peter Dana, on coordinate systems, geodetic datums, and global positioning systems.

Hunter College's Map Projection Home Page features a "Basics" option that opens to information and instruction relating to map projections. Part of the option's content comprises the same Peter Dana Geographer's Craft documents cited above. Also found through the Home Page: a number of projection identification "games" in the Student's Globes and Amusements section and many links to various sources of maps with unique projections: http://everest.hunter.cuny.edu/mp

The United States Geological Survey hosts several sites concerned with map and projection information and instruction. The Survey's National Mapping Information home page at http://mapping.usgs.gov/ provides accurate and up-to-date information on its mapping products and services and its national mapping program. The "Mapping News" segment features items of current interest, and the "Resources for Teachers and Students " option gives access to earth science educational material for teachers and (K-12) students.

The Geological Survey also has a number of Fact Sheets to assist in map reading. Among the topics discussed are Map Scales, Finding Your Way with Map and Compass, and What Do Maps Show? Their separate net addresses are:

Instructional materials on cartography, maps, and map projections may also be found following the "Subject" list on the Geography home page at http://geography.about.com. The Maps link connects with Map Projections general interest articles and explanations; the Cartography link opens similar interesting and instructional "Cartography and Understanding Maps" material.

Although not concerns of this "Projections" appendix or Chapter 1, Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing techniques are of increasing interest to student and professional geographers. Index sites that can help you get acquainted with the Internet resources on those topics include the following. Many others will be encountered as you investigate.

GIS WWW Resource List maintained by the University of Edinburgh is an alphabetically arranged index of GIS-related sites at www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/giswww.html. A world-wide listing of "GIS and Remote Sensing sites" is a major component of Utrecht University, The Netherlands', Nice Geography Sites page at www.frw.ruu.nl/nicegeo.html. And a few "Other Useful GIS Links" are offered by the AAG Geographic Information Systems specialty group at www.cla.sc.edu/gis/aaggis/. A different, but still useful, collection of GIS articles, discussions, and links can be found through the GPS & GIS link at http://geography.about.com/.

The WWW Virtual Library: Remote Sensing Organizations is a complete listing of remote sensing agencies and interest groups throughout the world. Use the listing along with its companion Other Information site. Find them at www.vtt.fi/aut/rs/virtual/.