Native languages
of North America
Explore Ives Goddard’s map of Native languages and language families across much of North America, focused mainly north of Mexico. The revised and enlarged edition dates to 1999. Open the full-page PDF in your browser to zoom and pan across its labels and index.
View the full map
The PDF is hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Native Knowledge 360°. Use your browser’s PDF controls to zoom, pan, search text where supported, or download the file from the viewer.
Map credit and scope
Native Languages and Language Families of North America, compiled by Ives Goddard; revised and enlarged edition with additions and corrections, 1999. The PDF identifies language families and linguistic units. It does not map individual nations’ territories.
The Atlas links to the Smithsonian-hosted PDF rather than copying the file. The map is a scholarly orientation reference; consult the cited sources and community accounts on individual profile pages for nation-specific histories.