# Presentation: 391225

## Reference Maps

- While looking at the Demographic Profile
- that you created earlier, you realize that
- you’re not sure exactly where Greenbelt
- city is located.  You decide to create a
- Reference Map that shows the boundaries
- for this Census place.

**Notes:**
While looking at the Demographic Profile (remember that this is a Quick Table) that you created earlier, you realize that you’re not sure exactly where Greenbelt city is located.  You decide to create a Reference Map that shows the boundaries for this Census place.  

## Selecting Reference Maps

**Notes:**
To begin, you select Reference Maps from the FactFinder Main page.

## Using the menus

**Notes:**
A default map of the United States appears, displaying the regions and states.  In most cases, rather than using this default map, you’ll create your own Reference Map, such as the map of Greenbelt city that you’ll create in a few minutes.

But before we create that map, let’s examine some of the features that are available on the default map.  

Three menus are present on all Reference Maps:
 Use Options to create a title for the map, or select  boundaries and features that change the map’s appearance.
 Use Change Selections to select a new or different geographic area.
 Use Print/Download to print or download the current map.  

## Using the zoom controls

**U.S. map icon**

**house** **icon**

**Notes:**
The numbered circles to the right of the map are the zoom controls. You use these controls to change the level of detail that appears on the map, moving from zoom level 10 (the United States level) to zoom level 1 (the street level), and anywhere in between. 

The current zoom level is always denoted by a red circle (in this case, 10).  You can change zoom levels by:
 Clicking on the map, or 
 Clicking a different numbered circle to move directly to that zoom level, or
 Clicking the U.S. map icon at the top of the zoom controls to zoom out one level at a time, or the house icon at the bottom to zoom in one level at a time.  

## Map options - zoom level 10

**Click MD**

**Notes:**
When you want to look more closely at an area on the map, you can also use the map options located at the top of the map.  Note:  The map options available at zoom level 10 are different from those that are available at lower zoom levels.

At zoom level 10, these map options are available:
 zoom in to state lets you click on a particular state to see it in more detail. (This option is available at zoom level 10 only, and it is the default option for zoom level 10.) 
 recenter and zoom in lets you change your location on the map (by recentering the map on the location that you click), and zoom in so that you can see more detail.  

Now, let’s take a closer look at the state of Maryland.  Since zoom in to state is the default, it is already selected.  Click on the state of Maryland to zoom in to that state.

## Map options - zoom levels 1-9 

- Map options - zoom levels 1-9

**Notes:**
Maryland displays at zoom level 8. As you can see, the map options have changed. For zoom levels 1 through 9:
 recenter lets you recenter the map on the location that you click.  
 recenter and zoom in lets you recenter the map and zoom in to see more detail. (This is the default option for zoom levels 1 through 9.) 

Also, notice that arrows have appeared around the perimeter of the map display.  These compass arrows display at zoom levels 1 through 9.  

Click a compass arrow to move the map display in that direction.  When you click a compass arrow, the map display moves a greater distance than it does when you use the recenter radio button.  

Note:  Compass arrows do not zoom in.

## Zoom on an Address

**Notes:**
To zoom on an address select “more zoom options” or scroll down to the address entry box below the map.  Type in an address or a ZIP Code only and select GO to zoom in on your selection.  

Entering a ZIP Code alone will reposition the map at Zoom 5 over the central point of the ZIP Code.

Entering an address will zoom on the block the address is located in.  

## Zoom on Latitude/Longitude

**Notes:**
FactFinder lets you locate a geographic area by entering a latitude and longitude. The entry box appears below the map and below the search by address entry boxes. 

Enter a latitude (e.g. 38.890) and select a direction (e.g. N) 
Enter a longitude (e.g. 77.020) and select a direction (e.g. W). 

The map will be redrawn and centered at zoom 5 on the point you entered (in this case Washington, DC). 

Note that: 
Valid Latitude and Longitude entries are between 0 and 90 degrees. The majority of the continental United States is found between 25.2N and 49.3N latitude and 69.1W and 123.5W longitude. 

FactFinder uses compass directions instead of (+) and (-) to indicate the location of the point. A (-) latitude corresponds to the Southern Hemisphere and a (-) longitude corresponds to the Western Hemisphere. 

FactFinder centers the map based on the value entered up to three- (3) decimal places (e.g. 54.333). All additional decimal places will be ignored. 

If a latitude/longitude is entered and falls outside the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Island Areas, a blue map will be returned. FactFinder has the boundaries of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. 

## Locating the area you want to see

**Notes:**
When you create a Reference Map, you can use a variety of methods to navigate to the area you want:
 Select the geographic area you want using the Change Selections menu. 
 Use the zoom controls to change the zoom level of the map.
 Use the map options to recenter the map, or recenter and zoom in.
 Click the compass arrows to move the map display.

The method you use will depend on the area that you want to locate.  However, the Change Selections menu is the easiest way to quickly select a geographic area.  We’ll use this method to create the map of Greenbelt city.

## Using the Change Selections menu

**Notes:**
Move your mouse over the Change Selections menu until the menu options display.  

In this case, the only option under Change Selections is Geography.  Click this option to open the Geography Selection screen.

## Choosing a selection method

**Notes:**
Use the Select Geography page to specify the geographic area you want to see.  To begin, choose a selection method.  You can select a geographic area by:
 Choosing it from a list.  (This is the default option.)
 Searching for a name.
 Searching for an address.

When you select a method, the options below the selection method list change, according to the method you choose.  

You’ll use the list option to select a geography for your map.  Since list is the default method, it is already selected.  

## Selecting the type of area

**Notes:**
Next, you must select the type of area you want to locate.  Since  Greenbelt city is a Census place, you will need to identify it that way. 

Click the arrow at the right of the Select the type of area drop-down list, then click Place.  

## Selecting a state

**Notes:**
Once you specify Place, the Select a state drop-down list appears.  Click the arrow at the right of this drop-down list, scroll down, and click Maryland to select it.

## Selecting a geographic area

**Notes:**
When you select Maryland, the Select a geographic area drop-down list displays all of the places within the state of Maryland.  Scroll down and click Greenbelt city, Maryland.

Then, click the Show Map button to display the map.  

## Viewing the map

**Notes:**
Greenbelt city displays at zoom level 4.  You notice that at this zoom level, you can see all of Greenbelt city but you can’t tell how big it is in relationship to the surrounding Census places. 

You decide to zoom out one level to get a better idea of how Greenbelt city compares in size to the surrounding places.  To do so, click zoom level 5.  

## Viewing boundaries and features

**Notes:**
Now the map shows Greenbelt city and the surrounding Census places.  However, since this map also shows Census tracts and block groups, it’s difficult to see the place boundaries. 

You decide to update the map so that it displays only the boundaries for Census places.  To do so, you can click the Legend link, or click the Options menu, then click Boundaries.

Click Legend.  A new browser window opens, displaying the current boundary selections for your map.

## Selecting boundaries

**Notes:**
The browser window contains three tabs:  Boundaries, Features, and Title.  

On the Boundaries tab, you select the survey instance you want by clicking the arrow at the right of the Choose a survey instance drop-down list.  

Once you select a survey instance, a series of related boundary groups displays below the drop-down list.

You can choose the boundary group that you want to see, or select individual boundaries and labels by clicking the check boxes corresponding to the options you want to display.  (To deselect a boundary or label, click the check box again to remove the check mark.)  

## Selecting a year and program

**Notes:**
For this map, you will accept the default values for the survey instance (2000 Decennial Census) and boundary group (Census Block Hierarchy), and use the check boxes to change the boundaries that display on the map.  
Click the check boxes in the table to deselect the following items:
 State
 County
 Census Tract
 Block Group
Block
 Urbanized Area
You’ll need to scroll down to view all of the check boxes in the table.  When you have finished clearing the check boxes for the above items, scroll back to the top of the table and click the Update button. 

## Viewing the updated map 

**Notes:**
Now you can see Greenbelt city in relationship to the surrounding Census places (College Park, New Carrollton, Goddard, etc.).

You can also see that two major highways (I-95 and  Baltimore-Washington Parkway) bisect Greenbelt city, so this map gives you a good idea of the relative size and location of this Census place.

## Adding features to the map

**Notes:**
Now, let’s add a few more features to the map.  To do so, point to Options, then click Features.

## Selecting features

**Notes:**
On the Features tab, you can select the man-made and natural features that you want to display on the map.  You can display features, labels, or both by clicking the check boxes beside your choices.

To view some of the features in Greenbelt city, click the check boxes next to Other Park and Airport. 

Then, click Update to view the map with the additional features.

## Viewing features on the map

**Notes:**
On the updated map, you can see that there is a park in the top, left corner of the map, and College Park Airport is located near the middle of the screen.  

Each feature is represented by a different symbol or color (for example, the streams are represented by light blue lines, and the airport by an orange star).  Refer to the legend for an explanation of each symbol and color.  

## Downloading the map

**Notes:**
Now, let’s download this map.  To do so, click the Print/Download menu, then click Download.

## Viewing download instructions

**Notes:**
A window displays instructions for downloading the map.  Read the instructions, then click OK.

## Saving the image

**Notes:**
Using your mouse, right-click on the map.  The menu you see above will appear.

With your left mouse button, click Save Image As . . .  or  Save Picture As . . .  .

## Specifying a file name 

- Specifying a file name

## Viewing Quick Tips and Help

**Notes:**
At any point while you are working with Reference Maps, you can click Quick Tips for a list of tips on how to create the maps you need.

Click Help on the FactFinder banner for comprehensive instructions for the activity you are currently performing.

## Returning to the Main page

**Notes:**
When you are finished working with Reference Maps, click Main on the banner to return to the FactFinder Main page.