The reference collection is a great place to begin your research. These short relevant articles will give the basic understanding you need to formulate a good research question.
"In this volume, readers seeking to understand culture, society, and space will find a comprehensive overview of the major ideas, concepts, terms, and approaches that characterize and define the field." (Booklist)
This site includes digitizations of every edition of The Atlas of Canada, starting in 1906 and continuing through an ongoing revision of the latest edition, known since 1974 as The National Atlas of Canada.
"... vividly illustrates the key development challenges facing our world today. Social, economic, and environmental issues that are facing the planet are presented by easy-to read, colorful world maps, tables, graphs, text and photographs." (publisher's description)
"... designed to contribute to the conversation on contemporary suburbanization and metropolitan change. The Atlas offers a visually compelling, data-rich platform that should be of use to academics, policy makers, practitioners and the public alike."
The Encyclopedia of Public Health presents the most important definitions, principles and general perspectives of public health, written by experts of the different fields.