Chapter 3: Other Sources of Data
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As discussed earlier in this
guide, framework data provides reference, context and underpinning to a
wide variety of other geographical data themes. Framework data are
expected to be widely used and generally applicable, in contrast to
thematic data which is of narrower interest, either in terms of its
range of potential users or its geographical extent.
However, there are no hard and fast rules differentiating framework
and thematic data – the matter is somewhat one of personal interests.
As was discussed in Chapter 2,
the GeoBase website provides nine types of framework data, and the site
will be adding more over time. If you need other Canadian geospatial
data, defined formally as framework or not, there are a number of other
possible sources to explore. This Chapter looks at three such sources,
and if these sources cannot provide what you need, they will point you
in other directions.
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In this Chapter, you will learn about:
- The Discovery Portal and its use by geospatial data product and
service suppliers and geospatial information application developers
- Several other Internet portals that provide geospatial data at
no cost and without restrictions – GeoGratis, Toporama, the Atlas
of Canada, and Provincial Portals
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The GeoConnections Discovery Portal provides
infrastructure tools and services for the discovery of, and access to,
geospatial organizations, data and services. It is a gateway for
Canadian industry to distribute services and millions of geospatial
data products. Data can be browsed by metadata or searched by subject,
coverage or product type to find, evaluate, visualize and access what
is available. The Discovery Portal is the prime discovery and access
component of the CGDI.
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Read more...
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GeoGratis is
a portal (linked to the Discovery Portal) that provides geospatial data
at no cost and without restrictions. The data are compatible with the
most popular geographic information systems (GIS), with image analysis
systems, and with graphics editing software. A number of the
collections meet international geospatial information standards.
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Read more...
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 The Atlas of Canada (also
linked to the Discovery Portal) provides authoritative, current and
accessible geographic information products at a national level. Working
with partners, the Atlas facilitates the integration and analysis of
diverse data in order to increase overall knowledge about Canada. The
collection of maps and related information is interesting, dynamic and
comprehensive with effective and intuitive tools for you to access them.
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Read more...
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Provincial and Territorial Governments play an important role in the
creation and dissemination of framework data as well. Most of these
jurisdictions have counterpart agencies to the national mapping group
at Natural Resources Canada, which are responsible for base or
framework mapping of their territories typically at scales in the range
of 1:10,000 to 1:20,000. The majority of those agencies are partnering
with Natural Resources Canada on GeoBase, to contribute their
framework data to this national initiative.
A number of Canadian
Provinces and Territories have their own portals providing access to
geospatial data. Llinks to these provincial portals are available
through the Discovery Portal. While there are some differences
between jurisdictions on what they include in the category of framework
data (often referred to as base mapping data on their portals) and
in the methods for discovering and accessing that data, the links
to provincial portals below provide you with other valuable
sources of data that you may wish to consider in deciding on the
best framework data to meet your needs. |
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