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Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a classification system that was first developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to organize and arrange the book collections of the Library of Congress. The third edition of LCC (released in 1954) was the first to include a full classification scheme for maps. Cartographic materials are now cataloged in the "G" classification schedule, including atlases (G1000-3122), globes (G3160-3171), and maps (G3180-9980). Items are sub-arranged by designated regions, counties, cities, localities, etc. within the G classification schedule, with what is referred to as a "geographic Cutter." A full list of geographic Cutters can be found on ClassWeb Plus and is linked to on the Geographic Cutters page.
The Geography and Map Division maintains and develops a list of subject Cutters for further sub-classification of the specific content of a cartographic item. These subject Cutters are appended to the classification number following the geographic Cutter. The subject Cutters are found below.
A - Special category maps and atlases
B - Mathematical geography
C - Physical sciences
D - Biogeography
E - Human and cultural geography. Anthropogeography. Human ecology
F - Political geography
G - Economic geography
H - Mines and mineral resources
J - Agriculture
K - Forests and forestry
L - Aquatic biological resources
M - Manufacturing and processing. Service industries
N - Technology Engineering. Public works
P - Transportation and communication
Q - Commerce and trade. Finance
R - Military and naval geography
S - Historical geography
Class with any subject subdivision works which encompass two or more of its listed subtopics or any subtopic(s) not listed. Works on individual social, geographic, or socio-geographic features such as canals, dams, forests, university campuses, historic trails, etc., are classed as geographic features, e. g., G4352.H79, Hoover Dam. Works showing the distribution of a certain type of feature are classed with the subject e.g., G4301.N2, Dams in the New Southwest
Class here works which cannot be placed in any subject group but, because of special format or treatment, are to be separated from general maps and atlases
| .A1 | Outline and base maps. Plotting charts. Cities (Collective). Suburbs and city regions; e.g. G3701.A1: Outline maps of the United States; G3704.A1: Cities and towns of the United States; G3804.N4A1: Suburbs, or area around New York City |
| .A15 | Business district, center, or downtown of cities |
| .A2 | Index maps. Class here topographic map indexes only; class indexes of special subject maps with the subject, e.g. indexes to geological maps are classed in .C5, Geology |
| .A25 | Digital cartographic materials |
| .A253 | Digital elevation models |
| .A3 | Aerial views. Bird's-eye views |
| .A35 | Panoramas |
| .A4 | Remote-sensing maps. Photomaps. Orthophotomaps. Pictomaps |
| .A43 | Remote sensing images |
| .A45 | Anaglyphs and stereographs |
| .A5 | Pictorial maps |
| .A6 | Cartoon maps |
| .A63 | Cartograms |
| .A67 | Mental maps |
| .A7 | Maps for the blind |
| .A8 | Special geographical names. Class here works on place names of special historical, national, or religious significance, e.g. Christmas, Santa Claus, etc. |
| .A85 | Biographical maps. Maps showing travels of individuals. Class maps showing special groups of people under the subject, e.g. actors are classified in .E645 |
| .A9 | Special format. Class here postcards, business cards, placemats, games, mechanical devices, slides, transparencies, metal, stone, stationery, stick charts, fans, powder horns, clay tablets, cloth maps, glass, etc. |
Class here works on aspects of cartography, surveying, and mapping
| .B1 | Astronomical observatories and observations |
| .B2 | Movements of the earth. Including international date line, time zones |
| .B3 | Geodetic surveys. Including triangulation networks, prime meridians, base-measuring |
| .B5 | Surveying. Extent of areas surveyed or mapped |
| .B52 | Aerial photography. Status. Progress |
| .B7 | Cartography |
| .B71 | Globe gores. Class here pictures of globes or any two-dimensional representation of a globe |
| .B72 | Projections. Class here maps whose purpose it is to illustrate a particular projection |
| .B8 | Comparative area maps. Comparison diagrams. Class here works showing area comparisons superimposition, distortion, etc., and composite drawings comparing mountain heights, river lengths, etc. |
Class here works on the distribution of natural phenomena of the earth, the atmosphere, and subsurface features.
| .C1 | General |
| .C18 | Relief models. Raised relief globes. Digital elevation models, see .A253 |
| .C2 | Physiography. Geomorphology. Including relief features and bathymetry. |
| .C21 | Natural geographic regions. Geophysical divisions |
| .C23 | Caves. Underground grottoes |
| .C28 | Ground characteristics. Surface quality. Terrain studies. Slope |
| .C3 | Hydrology. Hydrogeology. Cf. .N44, Water utilities |
| .C31 | Hydrographic surveys. Status. Progress |
| .C315 | Drainage basins. Catchment areas |
| .C32 | Floods. Cf. .N22, Flood control |
| .C34 | Ground water. Water table |
| .C35 | Water composition and quality |
| .C36 | Mineral waters. For spas, etc., see .E635 |
| .C37 | Sea ice |
| .C38 | Glaciers. Glaciology. Cf. .C74, Icebergs |
| .C5 | Geology. Cf. .N244 Engineering geology |
| .C51 | Geological surveys. Status. Progress |
| .C55 | Dynamic and structural geology. Tectonics. Earthquakes (Seismology). Vulcanology |
| .C57 | Stratigraphy and paleontology. Historical geology |
| .C58 | Geochemistry |
| .C7 | Oceanography. For characteristics and morphology of the ocean bottom, see .C2. For distribution of aquatic life, see .D1. For economic aspects of aquatic life, see .L1-.L5. |
| .C72 | Temperature of ocean water |
| .C73 | Salinity and density of ocean water |
| .C74 | Icebergs |
| .C75 | Ocean currents |
| .C76 | Ocean tides |
| .C8 | Meteorology and climatology. Climate classification systems |
| .C813 | Climate regions. Class here works on climate zones, distribution of arid regions, deserts, permafrost areas, tundras, etc. |
| .C815 | Weather forecasting |
| .C82 | Atmospheric temperature |
| .C83 | Insolation and radiation |
| .C84 | Structure and mechanics of atmosphere. Atmospheric circulation. Wind systems. Cf. .N852, Air pollution. Smog |
| .C842 | Atmospheric pressure. Surface winds |
| .C86 | Storms |
| .C87 | Atmospheric electricity |
| .C88 | Atmospheric moisture and precipitation |
| .C882 | Condensation. Dew. Fog, Frost. Cloud cover |
| .C883 | Rain |
| .C884 | Snow. Snowmelt |
| .C885 | Hail |
| .C886 | Droughts |
| .C887 | Artificial precipitation. Rainmaking |
| .C9 | Geophysics |
| .C92 | Radioactivity |
| .C93 | Terrestrial magnetism |
| .C95 | Gravity |
Class here works on the distribution of plant and animal life, exclusive of human economic activities
| .D1 | General. Cf. .L1-.L5, Aquatic biological resources |
| .D2 | Plant geography. Botany. Vegetation |
| .D4 | Animal geography. Zoogeography. Including birds, insects, fish, etc. For sport fishing and hunting, see .E63 |
| .D5 | Wildlife conservation and reserves. Wildlife refuges. Cf. .G3, Conservation (General) |
Class here works that are concerned with man as a physical and social being.
| .E1 | General Including ethnology, tribes, ethnic groups, etc. |
| .E15 | Archaeological sites. Cities and towns which are ruined, extinct, etc. |
| .E2 | Population |
| .E25 | Vital statistics. Population increase and decrease. Birth control |
| .E25 | Statistical areas. Census tracts |
| .E27 | Movements of population (voluntary). Class here works on emigration, immigration, nomadism, tribal migration, transhumance, etc. |
| .E272 | Regulation. Quotas |
| .E29 | Demographic aspects of disasters. For technical aspects, see special fields, e.g. .C55 Earthquakes; .C32, Floods; .E59, Famine; etc. |
| .E3 | Languages. Ethnolinguistics |
| .E4 | Religions |
| .E42 | Christianity |
| .E423 | Ecclesiastical organizations, sects, denominations, administrative areas, etc. |
| .E424 | Missions |
| .E43 | Judaism |
| .E44 | Islam |
| .E45 | Hinduism |
| .E452 | Brahmanism |
| .E47 | Buddhism |
| .E5 | Medical geography |
| .E51 | Diseases |
| .E52 | Medical professions |
| .E55 | Public health |
| .E58 | Hospitals. Clinics. Dispensaries |
| .E59 | Nutrition. Malnutrition. Famine. Cf. .E29, Disasters |
| .E6 | Social and cultural geography. Civilizations |
| .E62 | Customs and folklore |
| .E622 | Social customs (Social and ethnic aspects). Eating and drinking habits. Clothing. For technical and industrial aspects, see .M1-.M95 |
| .E6225 | Genealogy. Families |
| .E623 | Heraldry |
| .E624 | Social organizations |
| .E625 | Social problems. Class here works on problems arising from the interplay of social forces, e.g. crime, narcotics traffic, slavery, race relations, school integration efforts, efforts at revamping educational systems, confrontations, demonstrations, etc. |
| .E627 | Folklore. Mythology |
| .E628 | Astrology |
| .E63 | Recreation. Sports. Including recreational trails and specific recreational activities, e.g. hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, etc. Class individual trails as geographic features. For historic trails, see .P25 |
| .E635 | Tourist maps. Tourism |
| .E64 | Intellectual and aesthetic life. The arts |
| .E642 | Crafts. Special interests. Hobbies |
| .E644 | Architecture |
| .E645 | Theaters. Drama. Motion pictures |
| .E646 | Music |
| .E648 | Painting and sculpture |
| .E65 | Literature |
| .E655 | Museums |
| .E67 | Libraries. Class here works on the location and distribution of libraries, those outlining library area classification schemes, etc. |
| .E68 | Education |
| .E7 | Material culture |
| .E73 | Housing. Shelter. Cf. E644 Architecture |
| .E74 | Income. Income tax |
| .E75 | Treasure trove. Cf. .P57 Wreck charts |
| .E9 | Slavery |
Class here works on boundaries, administrative and political divisions, sovereignty, spheres of influence, and national aspirations
| .F1 | General |
| .F2 | International boundaries |
| .F3 | Sovereignty. Class here works on occupation zones, occupied territories, territorial waters, etc. |
| .F33 | Colonial possessions |
| .F35 | Territorial expansion |
| .F37 | Flags. Military colors |
| .F5 | International relations. Class here works on treaty enforcements, international cooperation (League of Nations, United Nations, Atlantic Pact, Marshall Plan, etc. |
| .F55 | Diplomatic and consular service. Class here works on location of embassies, legations, consulates, etc. |
| .F7 | Administrative and political divisions. Class here works on political subdivisions, minor civil divisions of a political jurisdiction, congressional districts, and election districts. For courts and judicial divisions, see .F85 |
| .F8 | Government |
| .F81 | Forms of government. Class here works on the distribution of governing systems within a given area. Departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions see .F7 or appropriate topical subdivision. |
| .F85 | Laws and law enforcement. Class here works on the location of courts, judicial divisions, penal institutions, legal societies, etc. |
| .F86 | Concentration camps. Detention centers, etc. |
| .F9 | Political campaigns. Election results. Votes in legislature. Political results |
For works on the economic geography of the specialized fields of mines and minerals, agriculture, forests and forestry, fisheries, manufactures and processing, technology, engineering, public works, transportation and communication, and commerce and trade see subdivisions .H through .Q
| .G1 | General. Economic conditions |
| .G15 | Economic planning. Cf. .G45, Planning |
| .G16 | Economic cycles. Business cycles |
| .G17 | Economic assistance (Domestic). For international economic assistance, see .F5 |
| .G2 | Economic regions. Economic spheres of influence |
| .G3 | Natural resources. Conservation (General). Cf. .D4, Wildlife conservation and reserves. Cf. .J4, Soil conservation. Cf. .K3, Forest conservation |
| .G4 | Land. Land use. Land capabilities and classification |
| .G44 | Zoning |
| .G45 | Planning. Cf. .G15, Economic planning |
| .G455 | Urban renewal |
| .G46 | Cadastral maps. Land ownership. Real property |
| .G465 | Land grants |
| .G47 | Real property tax. Tax assessment. For income tax, see .E74 |
| .G475 | Insurance. Fire protection. Class here works showing data specifically useful in determining fire and other property rates, etc. |
| .G5 | Public lands |
| .G52 | Parks and monuments. Class here works on cultural and historic monuments, parks, zoos, etc. Individual parks are classed as regions. Cf. .D5, Wildlife conservation and reserves. Cf. K1, Forests |
| .G54 | Cemeteries |
| .G6 | Ethnic reservations |
| .G7 | Business and professional organizations |
| .G8 | Labor. Class here works on the distribution of the labor force or individual skills, labor relations, employment, strikes, unions, etc. |
Including mineral rights and leases. For "Rock hound guides," see .E63
| .H1 | General |
| .H2 | Metallic group |
| .H5 | Nonmetallic group. Including works on hydrocarbons (General), e.g. coal and petroleum |
| .H8 | Petroleum and natural gas |
| .H9 | Coal. Lignite. Peat |
| .J1 | General. Agricultural regions |
| .J15 | Agricultural economics. Economic aspects of agriculture |
| .J2 | Systems of agriculture. Agricultural methods. Farming techniques |
| .J3 | Soils. Soil classification. Soil capability and utilization. Cf. .N26 Soil mechanics |
| .J4 | Soil conservation. Reclamation. Irrigation. Erosion. Cf. .C3, Hydrology. Cf. .G4, Conservation (General). Cf. .N22, Flood control |
| .J48 | Fertilizers |
| .J5 | Animal husbandry. Livestock |
| .J6 | Crops |
| .J61 | Cereals |
| .J67 | Forage crops. Legumes |
| .J7 | Vegetables |
| .J73 | Fruits. Nuts |
| .J77 | Sugar and starch. Class here works on the distribution of crops specifically cultivated for the production of sugar and starch |
| .J8 | Industrial agricultural products |
| .J82 | Cordage and textile fibers. Including cotton, flax, hemp, etc. |
| .J84 | Rubber, gum, and resin plants |
| .J9 | Other plants |
| .J912 | Beverage plants. Including coffee, tea, etc. |
| .J92 | Medicinal plants |
| .J93 | Spices. Condiments |
| .J94 | Tobacco |
| .J95 | Floriculture. Nurseries |
| .K1 | General |
| .K2 | Distribution of forest areas and forest types. Class individual forests as regions |
| .K3 | Conservation. Reforestation. Afforestation. Cf. .G1 .G3, Conservation (General) |
| .K4 | Silviculture. Tree farms |
| .K5 | Agents of forest destruction. Forest fires |
| .K6 | Lumbering. Exploitation. Cf. .M4, Wood processing and manufacture |
Class here works on the economic aspects of aquatic life, including aquatic vegetation, aquaculture, and pelagic mammals
| .L1 | General. For hunting or fishing as a recreational activity, see .E63. Cf. .D1-.D5, Plant and animal distribution |
| .L2 | Fishing and fisheries. Fish hatcheries. Sea animal products |
| .L4 | Aquatic vegetation. Aquaculture |
| .L5 | Pelagic mammals. Sealing. Whaling |
| .M1 | General |
| .M2 | Mineral processing and manufacture |
| .M3 | Chemical processing and manufacture |
| .M4 | Wood processing and manufacture |
| .M5 | Paper processing and manufacture |
| .M6 | Fiber, textile, and hide processing and manufacture |
| .M8 | Food and beverage processing and manufacture |
| .M9 | Transport equipment manufacture |
| .M95 | Service industries |
| .N1 | General. Including inventions |
| .N18 | Engineering |
| .N2 | Hydraulic engineering. Dams. Class individual dams as geographic features |
| .N22 | Flood control |
| .N23 | Civil engineering. Building and construction. Building materials |
| .N24 | Engineering geology. Class here works showing distribution of geologic characteristics of an area as they relate to capabilities for, or limitation on, construction activity |
| .N26 | Soil mechanics. Soil Engineering. Class here works showing the distribution of soil characteristics as they relate to capabilities for, or limitations on, construction activity |
| .N3 | Power |
| .N32 | Steam. Geothermal steam sources. Thermoelectric power generation |
| .N33 | Water power. Hydroelectric power generation |
| .N34 | Wind power. Aeroelectric power generation |
| .N35 | Nuclear power. Magnetohydrodynamics. Cf. .C92, Radioactivity |
| .N36 | Solar power |
| .N39 | Utilities |
| .N4 | Electric utilities. Service areas. Power lines |
| .N42 | Gas utilities |
| .N44 | Water utilities. Water storage, distribution, and purification plants. Cf. .C3, Hydrology |
| .N46 | Sewerage. Waste disposal |
| .N85 | Pollution and pollution control |
| .N852 | Air pollution |
| .N854 | Pollution of land. Including soil pollution, despoliation of the land by billboards and by the accumulation of refuse such as abandoned motor vehicles, etc. |
| .N856 | Water pollution |
| .N858 | Noise pollution |
| .P1 | General |
| .P15 | Distances |
| .P18 | Trafficability. Traffic feasibility surveys |
| .P2 | Roads. For soil characteristics affecting road construction see .N26 |
| .P21 | Traffic surveys |
| .P22 | Bus routes. Truck routes |
| .P23 | Traffic and parking regulations |
| .P24 | Bridges and tunnels |
| .P25 | Trails (Historic). Class individual trails as geographic features. For scenic and recreational trails, see .E63 |
| .P3 | Railroads |
| .P33 | Urban and interurban railroads. Including elevated railroads, street railways, trams, subways, etc. |
| .P4 | Pipelines |
| .P5 | Water transportation. Nautical charts. Pilot charts. Class individual canals, lakes, etc. as geographic features |
| .P53 | Inland waterways. Class here works on navigable lakes, rivers, canals, and protected inshore channels |
| .P54 | Ocean routes. Shipping lines. Load line charts |
| .P55 | Ports and port facilities |
| .P57 | Wreck charts. Cf. .E75, Treasure troves |
| .P58 | Electronic navigation charts. Class here Consol, Decca, Loran, and other hyperbolic navigation charts. For regular chart series with electronic lattice overprints, see .P5 and .P6 |
| .P6 | Air transportation. Aeronautical charts |
| .P61 | Airports, landing fields, etc. |
| .P62 | Air routes |
| .P7 | Space transportation |
| .P75 | Satellite tracks, etc. |
| .P78 | Other transportation systems. Including conveyor belts, cable ways |
| .P8 | Postal service. Postal zones. Zip codes |
| .P9 | Communications |
| .P92 | Telegraph |
| .P93 | Submarine cables |
| .P94 | Telephone. Area codes |
| .P95 | Radio |
| .P96 | Television |
| .P97 | Dissemination of information. The press. Printing. Propaganda. Public opinion |
| .Q1 | General |
| .Q2 | Business statistics |
| .Q3 | Movement of commodities. Class here works on trade routes, caravan routes, etc. For maps and atlases which emphasize the carrier and show specific routes, see .P1-.P97. Cf. .Q5, Tariffs and other trade barriers |
| .Q4 | Marketing |
| .Q42 | Trade centers and trading areas |
| .Q44 | Shopping centers. Shopping malls |
| .Q46 | Retail sales outlets |
| .Q48 | Fairs, exhibitions, etc. Class individual fairs and exhibitions as regions, e.g. New York World’s Fair, and Transpo '72 |
| .Q5 | Tariffs and other trade barriers |
| .Q8 | Finance. Class here works on coins and currencies, foreign exchange credit, special types of financial institutions, individual financial firms, etc. |
Class here works on the administration and general operation of peacetime military and naval forces .
For maps and atlases that portray historical events of a military nature, see .S
| .R1 | General |
| .R2 | Military and naval districts and establishments. Troop disposition |
| .R22 | Air Force |
| .R24 | Army |
| .R26 | Coast Guard |
| .R28 | Navy |
| .R282 | Marine Corps |
| .R3 | Military operations. Strategy and tactics. War games |
| .R4 | Defenses. Fortifications |
| .R5 | Logistics. Class here works on military support systems, munitions, lines of communication, etc. |
| .R6 | Civil defense |
Class here maps and atlases that portray specific historical events, including disposition of troops, battle lines, or a series of events.
A map or atlas, either contemporary or reconstructed, which gives only general geographical information about an area at the time of a given event or series of events is treated without subject subdivision.
A chronological subdivision for an area, based on its own history, is to be preferred to any universal arrangement except that the following Cutter numbers are to remain constant throughout the schedule.
For examples of such arrangements, see G3201.S World history, and G3701.S United States history.
| .S1 | General |
| .S12 | Discovery and exploration |
| .S65 | World War I |
| .S7 | World War II |
