The (1014) cleavage plane of calcite has been investigated by atomic force microscopy in water at room temperature. True lateral atomic-scale resolution was achieved; the atomic-scale periodicities as well as the expected relative positions of the atoms within each unit cell were obtained. Along monoatomic step lines, atomic-scale kinks, representing point-like defects, were resolved. Attractive forces on the order of 10(-11) newton acting between single atomic sites on the sample and the front atoms of the tip were directly measured and provided the highest, most reliable resolution on a flat, well-ordered surface.