Categories: Environment, Science

Geography Awareness Week November 11-17, 2012

Connecticut from Morse, Maps of America by John Stockdale
Connecticut from Morse, Maps of America by John Stockdale, 1794
- Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Celebrated the third week in November, Geography Awareness Week was established by proclamation in 1987, by President Ronald Reagan, to promote public awareness of the importance of geo-literacy and geo-education. The program is organized by the National Geographic Education Programs and geographic organizations at the national, state, and local levels. This year’s theme is “Declare Your Interdependence.”

In 1934, Connecticut became the first state to complete a statewide aerial survey. Today, it can be searched and viewed through the Connecticut State Libray’s  Aerial Photographs of Connecticut database. There are also a number of Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, application tools available to view and analyze this type of data. One such tool the University of Connecticut’s map mash-up Neighborhood Change in Connecticut, 1934 to Present. This online viewer allows the user to compare the aerial imagery from the 1934 survey with current satellite views so that alterations to the landscape overtime can be detected. An excellent example of the change to rural farmlands brought on by commercial and residential development can be viewed by comparing a current view of the WestFarms Mall location in Farmington/WestHartford to the 1934 view.

LEARN MORE

Websites

“History of Aerial Photography in Connecticut.” Connecticut State Library, 2006. Link.
“Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC).” University of Connecticut, 2012. Link.
“Unique Connecticut Place Names.” Connecticut State Library, 2012. Link.

Documents

“1951-1952 Connecticut Aerial Photography Index.” University of Connecticut Libraries, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), 2012. Link.
“Aerial Photographs of Connecticut - Database.” Connecticut State Library, 2012. Link.
“Collection of Bird’s-Eye View Maps.” Connecticut History Online, 2012. Link.
“Collection of Bird’s-Eye View Maps.” University of Connecticut Libraries’, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), 2012. Link.
“Connecticut 1950’s Road Maps.” University of Connecticut Libraries’, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), 2012. Link.
“Connecticut 1970’s Road Maps.” University of Connecticut Libraries’, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), 2012. Link.
“Historical Map Collection - Connecticut Towns.” University of Connecticut Libraries, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), 2012. Link.
“Neighborhood Change in Connecticut, 1934 to Present - Map Mash-up.” University of Connecticut Libraries, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC). Accessed November 12, 2012. Link.
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