Free Resources

Much of the content available through the Geography Network may be accessed or downloaded for free. Below is a list of some of the most popular content, organized by content type, that you may use freely. Use the Geography Network Explorer to discover other free resources.

Downloadable Data

Download selected areas of these data sets to use with your GIS software.

	Census TIGER/Line 2000 Data: Select from the many available TIGER/Line 2000 data layers (including roads, boundaries, landmarks, and much more) and download the data for free.
	USGS NED Shaded Relief: Select and download a custom-defined area of shaded relief imagery derived from the USGS National Elevation Dataset for free.

Dynamic Data

Access these dynamic map services to use with your GIS software.

	ESRI TIGER 2000 Map Service: This map service presents a nationwide street map based on the Census TIGER/Line 2000 data. The TIGER/Line files are a digital database of geographic features covering the United States.
	Census 2000 Population Density Map: This map service presents a nationwide map of population density statistics from Census 2000. The map service presents population per square mile totals at the state, county, tract, block group, and block levels.
	ESRI VMap World Basemap: This map service presents a compilation of data sets from NIMA and ESRI. The NIMA data sets presented include Vector Smart Map (VMap) Level 0, at a scale of 1:1,000,000, and VMap Level 1, at a scale of 1:250,000.
	ESRI Recent Earthquake Map: This map service presents the locations of significant earthquake events that have been reported by the USGS National Earthquake Information Service (NEIS) in the past month.

Applications

Visit these online applications to make maps and more.

National Geographic Map Machine: The National Geographic MapMachine is an interactive mapping site that enables users to access a wide variety of geographic information information covering the world. The MapMachine offers dynamic maps from many of the world's leading data providers, atlas maps from the National Geographic 7th Edition Atlas, and flags and facts information for countries and states.

NPS Interactive Map Center: The NPS Interactive Map Center provides access to dynamic maps of the park system. Use the Map Center to find maps that meet your specific criteria and then generate custom maps to print or download. Maps are available for all the national parks and monuments but the site features park specific data for Yellowstone and Gettysburg.

HUD E-MAPS: Healthy Communities Environmental Mapping (HUD E-MAPS) is a free Internet application that combines information on HUD's community development and housing programs with EPA's environmental data. HUD E-MAPS provides: location, type and performance of HUD-funded activities in every neighborhood across the country; and select EPA information on brownfields, hazardous wastes, air pollution and waste water discharges.

Additional Free Resources

Geography Network Explorer: Discover hundreds of other free resources available through the Geography Network.