Map Chat: Atlas of the Pacific Northwest

So much data and information on the Pacific Northwest. So much fun!

Like maps, data, and exploring the world geographically?

Here’s a super fun resource for you if you’re from the Pacific Northwest or at all just enjoy poking around different maps with data and information. For the purposes of better illustrating how awesome this web-based atlas is, I’ll be forgoing my usual “Good, Bad, Lie” format. Instead I’ll just highlight a few kinds of maps you can check out and then link you to it so you can explore it all for yourself.

Wine Production

We all love wine right? And if not, there’s a map for beer as well. Regardless, I love that this highlights just how many vineyards exist within the Pacific Northwest and Oregon and Washington especially. I think our region typically flies under the radar a bit as compared to Napa Valley. Double cool that you can also click on the regions to show what kind of wine is specifically produced. The Willamette Valley (Portland region), for example, is quite well known for its Pinot Noirs and that’s represented here.

Skiing Destinations and Snow Fall

There are quite a few recreation maps that cover things like camping, rafting, and, of course, skiing (and snowboarding)! Due to the Cascades and Rockies, skiing is a popular recreational activity in the Pacific Northwest. If you live in basically any of the major or semi-major cities (Portland, Seattle, Boise, Spokane, Eugene, etc.) you’re well within driving distance of some snow and skiing.

Historic Railroads

This is one of my favorite map in the atlas. Take note particularly of the timeline scale just to the left of the map. That allows you to visualize the growth in the railroad network over the decades. What’s perhaps most striking is that, if you looked at a modern railroad map, more than half of these would disappear. We’ve basically let most railroads in this region (and country) go defunct for various reasons.

Historic Maps

And if you’re interested in historic maps, the atlas has some of those as well going back well before Oregon was even an official state (though I believe it was a territory at that point). Still very interesting to see how the land was interpreted before they had satellites, computers, and any form of GIS.

I’ll stop sharing snips of maps from the atlas now, and just share the link so you can explore. User beware though: this could easily east up a couple hours of your time without you even realizing it!