CHICLA 330: Gentrification In Latinx Comm. (Spring 2022) : Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping resources

For most groups, Social Explorer should be sufficient to meet the needs of the CHICLA 330 final project.  If you want to try your hand at mapping different kinds of data, or using Geographic Information Systems, the UW-Madison has a map library (Robinson Map Library), and lots of GIS resources.

Geospatial Data and Research

Mapping and GIS Library Research Guide
In addition to providing some basic information about GIS and how to access software, the Mapping and GIS Library Research Guide offers a wealth of information for finding reliable sources of geospatial data. For Wisconsin data, check out the UW-Madison geoportal: GeoData@Wisconsin
This comprehensive geospatial repository includes data produced at all levels of government as well as aerial imagery and scanned historic maps for Wisconsin. You can find land use, transportation, land ownership/tax parcels, municipal boundaries, hydrography features, and additional layers for creating a basemap and visualizing basic infrastructure in an area. This data is limited in geographic scope to only Wisconsin. Use the library research guide for locating geospatial data for other parts of the United States, or the world.

National Historical GIS (NHGIS)
The IPUMS National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) provides free online access to summary statistics and GIS files for U.S. censuses and other nationwide surveys from 1790 through the present. Most NHGIS data files cover all areas in the United States. Data files for census blocks and block groups are available for individual states. Through the NHGIS, users can filter and sort through thousands of available tables and GIS files, and select and download multiple tables and boundary files, for different geographic levels and from different years, all in one request. You have to register to use this site, but it is free. After you create an account, when you make selections for data tables and spatial files, you will receive an email once it is ready to download/access. Please take note of the detailed citation instructions that appear in the associated metadata. Be sure to utilize the excellent help pages in NHGIS, including some very detailed user guides and video tutorials

Guide to Citing Maps and Geospatial Data
It is important to cite sources you use in any research project, including those that result in the creation of maps or other cartographic visuals (like infographics). The UW Guide to Citing Maps and Geospatial Data shows students what elements are important to include when referencing geographic content.  Keep in mind this guide does not provide examples of scholarly citation styles (MLA, APA, etc.), but is meant to point out what details to include when citing geographic source material.