# Geographical Website: United States, Online Mile/km Scale? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 11, 2003, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-website-united-states-online-mile-km-scale/154290 "2003-02-11T04:28:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fauxpas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e480ec/32.png) [@fauxpas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fauxpas)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-website-united-states-online-mile-km-scale/154290/1 "2003-02-11T04:28:56Z")
I’m looking for a website similar to an almanac that has information in context of the United States only and shows the Scale, states (obviously), lakes, basically all the things you will find in a school U.S Map. Please Help. Already have tried google but still can’t find the one I’m looking for. Thank YOu. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-website-united-states-online-mile-km-scale/154290/2 "2003-02-11T06:21:57Z")
Try the [National Atlas of the United States](http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/natlasstart.asp) website. The navigation takes a bit of getting used to, but once you know what you’re doing it really can give you some amazing information. There’s a guide [here](http://nationalatlas.gov/help.html) that will help you familiarize yourself with the features of the Atlas and how to get the most out of it. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-website-united-states-online-mile-km-scale/154290/3 "2003-02-11T12:25:11Z")
I am not Sure what you are looking for but if you just want maps of the USA with scales both in Km and Mi then [www.expediamaps.com](http://www.expediamaps.com) should do it. ---
**Author:** ![fauxpas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e480ec/32.png) [@fauxpas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fauxpas)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-website-united-states-online-mile-km-scale/154290/4 "2003-02-12T00:19:54Z")
Wow! Thanks to both mhendo & sailor. BUT sailor hit it right on the spot. Thanks anyways mhendo, that information is pretty cool as well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-website-united-states-online-mile-km-scale/154290/5 "2003-02-12T01:31:35Z")
Also, Check out [http://www.geographynetwork.com](http://www.geographynetwork.com) Lots of free data. And links and > **[GIS Mapping Software, Location Intelligence & Spatial Analytics | Esri](https://www.esri.com/en-us/home)** > > Esri’s GIS mapping software is the most powerful mapping & spatial analytics technology available. Learn how businesses are using location intelligence to gain a competitive advantage. The worlds biggest provider of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software. Lots of links and data as well. > **[ArcGIS Explorer | Digital Maps at Your Fingertips on Mobile](https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-explorer/overview?rsource=%2Fsoftware%2Farcexplorer)** > > ArcGIS Explorer is a mobile app that delivers 24/7 access to your organization's maps. Your digital maps work wherever you go, even in remote areas with no connectivity. From the site. “ArcExplorer is a lightweight GIS data viewer developed by ESRI. This **freely available software** offers an easy way to perform basic GIS functions.” “As a complete data explorer, ArcExplorer lets you display and query a wide variety of standard data sources. Using ArcExplorer as a stand-alone desktop application, you can view and query **industry-standard ESRI shapefiles** , ArcInfo coverages, and ArcSDE (Spatial Database Engine) layers. You can also pan and zoom through multiple map layers and identify, locate, and query geographic and attribute data.” Bolding mind. Shapefiles are the easy way to go. Probably the most common as well. If you like maps and computers, your family may never see you again. I’m a GIS guy 🙂