Seeing the world

Maps have always been an integral part of finding our way in the world, from the incomplete or fantastical maps – those depicting the Edge of the World – that guided early wayfarers in the Great Age of Exploration, to the Turn Left, Turn Right internet maps the modern motorist uses to avoid getting lost.

Our part of the country was largely unmapped until two centuries ago, when Lewis and Clark crossed what is now our metropolitan area to explore the boundaries, geologic features and peoples within the vast Louisiana Purchase. Early maps were used to explore the world beyond. But now almost every corner of the world has been visited and mapped, and with global positioning devices today’s explorers or casual travelers can know their exact location, whether in the heart of the city or the depths of the Amazon rain forest.

These geographic maps have their limits. They are largely confined to looking at the land and its features.  But there are new worlds to discover and explore—not the world beyond, but around us. We need maps that tell us about where we live, who we live with, and what resources are available - maps which combine geography with statistical information.

LINC regularly produces data maps for Jackson, Clay and Platte counties and the state of Missouri highlighting demographic and socio-economic data that is important to a fuller understanding of our community. These maps reflect both our organizational interests and our work.