Guides: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Data: Tools &amp; Resources

Browser Based Tools

ArcGIS Online
The entirely online version of ArcGIS. Provides great map making tools and limited but really user friendly spatial analysis capabilities. Also allows users to quickly and easily turn their maps into web apps.
Google MyMaps
An easy to use, and fairly robust, map maker built into the Google suite.
StoryMaps
StoryMaps is ideal from creating long from narratives with geographic content. StoryMap is available to Georgetown users through the same Esri account they use for ArcGIS Online.

ArcGIS Desktop
ArcGIS Desktop is a robust suite of GIS tools for mapping and spatial analysis.
Tableau
Tableau is primarily a chart making software, but it offers nice support for maps with one geographic dimension. Tableau Public is available for free to all users. Students and educators can also get a license for Tableau Desktop by following the steps laid out by the company.
ArcGIS Pro
The newest version of ArcGIS, offers very robust support for map making and spatial analysis.

Map Warper
A tool to geo-reference historic maps so they can be used with modern GIS software.
Old Maps Online
Index to 400,000 historical maps. Users can browse or search by place.

Policy Map
Free, web-based mapping utility for the United States with a variety of pre-loaded data.

Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Social Explorer provides quick and easy access to current and historical census data and demographic information. The easy-to-use web interface lets users create maps and reports to illustrate, analyze, and understand demography and social change. Users can create a free account in order to save, share, and collaborate on maps and projects. In addition to its comprehensive data resources, Social Explorer offers features and tools to meet the needs of demography experts and novices alike. From research libraries to classrooms to government agencies to corporations to the front page of the New York Times, Social Explorer helps the public engage with society and science.

Color Brewer
This online tool allows users to create color schemes for maps and other graphics in order to show data that is readily readable. It is possible to create maps using up to 12 different data classes which can be sequential, divergent or qualitative.