Geographic Data

Here are links to some sites that have useful information about the geographic parameters of locations in the U.S. and worldwide.

USGS Geographic Names Information System
Enter the name of any U.S location to get its latitude, longitude, and elevation.
Geonet Names Server
For non-U.S. locations. Operated by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.  Entering your search information is a bit awkward, the searches are slow, and the information you get takes some work to decipher, but this is the most comprehensive geographic database I have found.  You can eventually find latitude and longitude.
Sunrise/set table calculator
From the awesome U.S. Naval Observatory.  Generates a table of sunrise and sunset times every day of any year at any location on earth.  This calculator can generate moonrise/set and twilight tables as well.
U.S. Altitude/Azimuth calculator
Another service from the U.S. Naval Observatory.  This one makes a table of the sun’s or moon’s position in the sky throughout the day as seen from any place In the U.S., any day you choose.
World Altitude/Azimuth Calculator
From the U.S. Naval Observatory yet again.  This one makes a table of the sun’s or moon’s position in the sky throughout the day as seen from any place on earth, any day you choose.  You must specify the location's latitude and longitude.
U.S. Length Calculator
From the U.S. Naval Observatory, of course.  This makes a table of the duration of the day, that is, the amount of time that the sun is above the horizon, for every day of a year you specify, for locations within the United States.  For other locations, use their World Day Length Calculator.  You must specify the location’s latitude and longitude.

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Copyright © 2007, Richard Barrans
Revised: 1 December 2011.  Maintained by Richard Barrans.
URL: http://www.barransclass.com/astr1070/projects/climate/geodata.html