Welcome to Lewis & Clark 200

Two hundred years ago, an incredible journey of exploration and mapping of the unknown took place in the United States: the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition. The bicentennial commemoration of this journey began in 2003 and continues into 2006.

The journey of the Corps of Discovery represents a defining moment in United States and North American history.

Using the best scientific and data gathering tools of the time, as well as the invaluable local information and survival help of the many people they met along the way, Lewis and Clark and the Corps forever changed the world's knowledge of geography, earth science, biology, and cultures. Along the way, they dispelled some old myths.

At the same time, the expedition's successful round-trip sparked a new myth of manifest destiny—westward expansion with a full range of positive and tragic consequences.

Today, 21st century geospatial tools and processes are being applied to chronicle and explore numerous aspects of the 19th century undertaking and its impacts, which ripple across two centuries. Mapping has moved from pen and parchment to computers and personal digital assistants. Sextant and compass have been replaced by global positioning systems (GPS). Remote sensing has progressed from ground-based observations from high places or by scouts to numerous air- and space-based devices. These changes alone are stunning to consider.

However, as important as the expedition and the changes it brought about are, the metaphor of the expedition may be even more important: exploration and its associated attributes—observation, analysis, action. The geography of the Lewis and Clark journey is specific, but the geography it can inspire us to explore is limitless.

We hope that while young people, teachers, the public, and the GIS community learn more about the past and present of the Lewis and Clark transect, they will geographically explore places of interest to them wherever they are and effect positive changes because of their journeys.