An ArcGIS Extention Tool for Mapping American Community Survey

This tool allows detailed instruction to download American Community Survey (ACS) data and associated boundary data to be used in ArcGIS. It's to improve estimates of ACS data when mapping the data. See the details at http://gesg.gmu.edu and download the tool. This tool is developed by Dr. David Wong at GMU and funded by the U.S. Census Bureau.

New LC web site: Places in History

The Library of Congress, Geography & Map Division launched a new web site, "Places in History" that allows users to view dramatic historic events such as the Civil War in geographic context to gain better understanding of those events and the unique interplay between history and geography. Please see also the LC's "Places in the News" web site that offers current geographic information on countries and events in the current headlines.

(source: Maps-L)

NEW Release: Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America

is an online mapping tool that captures a broad range of demographic, economic, and agricultural data on rural areas across the United States. It was developd by USDA's Economic Research, providing data sets available for further analysis.

See the atlas at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas/

The full press release at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome

Oil Spill Resources

Here are a pair of useful resources related to the major Gulf of Mexico oil spill that's been dominating headlines over the past week.

First, ESRI has quickly put together an interactive mapping tool that allows users to upload photos, video, and other information. Here's a screenshot of the basic interface:


Second, librarians at the University of South Alabama have put together an extensive list of federal, state, local, and other sites that are relaying news and information on the spill and ongoing efforts to cope with it. It's a very useful reference source.