Vatican City Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News:  Vatican City Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday for the final papal audience of Pope Benedict.  Ball State University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library features several maps of Vatican City.

Vatican City is located completely with the city of Rome, Italy, and the “popout” map of Rome is a small folded map published in 2008 that includes a map of the grounds.  A 1995 National Geographic map of Italy also features an inset map of the grounds of the Holy See. 

The top map shown above was published by the Central Intelligence Agency and shows the location of the radio station, the post office, and the Papal Printing Office.  The second map shown above is a topographic map of Rome published by the Defense Mapping Agency by the War Office in 1943.

The third map shown of the Vatican City, Citta Del Vaticano, was published by the Visceglia Geographic Institute in Italian.  St. Peter’s Square is identified as “Piazza S. Pietro” on the map, and “Giardini Vaticani” marks the location of the gardens.  “Pinacoteca” is the Art Gallery located on the grounds.

Maps from the GRMC may be circulated for two weeks or longer.  The GRMC is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 5:00.  

Maps of Iran at Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News:  Tehran, Iran Maps during the Time of Argo

The Ball State University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) has a large collection of maps and atlases of Iran and the Middle East. The collection includes new and historic topographic, tourist, geological, and street maps.

Iran Country Profile is a map of the country created in 2004 by the Central Intelligence Agency. This map includes a comparative area map, location map, and a list of major historical events in Iran since 1908. The map features ancillary maps of regional physiography, population density, ethno-religious distribution, key petroleum sector facilities, Southern Caspian energy prospects, and the Strait of Hormuz. The GRMC also includes the most up-to-date country report maps from the Central Intelligence Agency.

The Map Collection includes road maps, physical maps, tourist maps of the country, provinces, and cities, and maps of the people of Iran. Many of these maps are printed in English, Persian, and French. Some of the historical maps in the Collection feature bright illustrations of local costumes and handicrafts. A map titled Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, and Baluchistan dates from the 1930’s and features caravan routes.

The GRMC also includes a set of international nautical charts including the areas surrounding Iran. Many of these nautical charts include basic maps of coastal areas.

Maps of the cities of Iran include a set of varied maps of Tehran. The New Map of Tehran includes telephone directories for accommodations for tourists and distance charts.  The map shown above (click to enlarge) identifies the location of the former United States Embassy in Tehran. The map was published in 1978, so the street names of nearby Roosevelt and America and even Shahreza have been changed since the revolution in Iran.

The Atlas Collection includes several atlases of Iran. The Historical Atlas of Iran and Atlas d’Iran are newer materials. The Atlas d’Iran is printed in French with English captions. This atlas includes an entire section featuring numerous maps of the city of Tehran. The 1956 Atlas of Geological Maps of Southwest Persia was published by an oil company. An atlas about Iran’s White Revolution is also located in the Atlas Collection.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Atlases circulate for 28 days.

Ball State University Libraries' Presentation on Historic Preservation in Muncie

From Magic City to Shrinking City: Historic Preservation in Muncie in the 21^st Century

The Friends of Alexander M. Bracken Library are pleased to present From Magic City to Shrinking City: Historic Preservation in Muncie in the 21^st Century presented by William P. Morgan, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Muncie, on Monday, February 18, 2013, at 7:30 pm in Bracken Library room 104.

Free parking is available in the Emens Parking Structure after 7:00 pm, and the presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information, please call John Straw, Assistant Dean for Digital Initiatives and Special Collections at 765-285-5078.

(Image of Wysor Grand Theater, Muncie, from the Ball State University Libraries' Digital Media Repository)