International Data Locations
United Nations Environment Programme / Global Resource Information Database (UNEP/GRID)
GRID, the Global Resouce Information Database is an environmental service within the United Nations System which maintains a distributed global archive of environmental information in digital form. The GRID archive contains many thousands of datasets covering over 50 environmental parameters or themes, at scales ranging from global to the sub-national. The majority of datasets are freely available upon request.
Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)
The Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) is a private nonprofit corporation with members from universities and non-governmental research organizations. CIESIN specializes in the access and integration of physical, natural and socioeconomic information across disciplines. In addition to brief descriptions of data available through the Gateway, CIESIN offers supplementary material in its electronic library. Here, guides to selected datasets in the Gateway and links to partner organizations in the information cooperative can be found. Links to key issues related to human dimensions of global environmental change are also available.
An example dataset from the National Center for Geographic Data and Analysis (NCGIA) representing the population of the World in a raster format can be found here.
Global Land Information System (GLIS)
The Global Land Information System (GLIS) is an interactive computer system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for scientists seeking data. The GLIS contains abstract, descriptive and search information for each dataset. Through GLIS, scientists can evaluate datasets, determine their availability and place online requests for products. Some products can be downloaded directly. Most data is not free. GLIS also offers samples of earth science data online. The Mac OS is not supported at the moment.
National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
NASA has set up the Earth Observation System Data Information System (EOSDIS) to support unique cross-disciplinary global change research. Currently, 9 Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) are linked and offer earth science data. More information can be found at the EOSDIS homepage.
Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS)
The information on this page is provided by the EROS Data Center. It offers FTP access to a variety of USGS digital datasets. For each dataset the WWW page offers a link to data examples, a hyperlink to user guide information, and a list of the methods available for datatranfer. All of the data available is from the US.
Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team (SAST)
SAST Datasets are available for FTP access at the US Geological Survey (USGS). The SAST dataset list shows the data themes available (e.g. geology, hydrology, road and railnetwork) and allows users to view sample graphics as well as metadata. Data can be freely downloaded in ARC/INFO Export or in SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Format) format. The SAST list contains only US data at various scales.
GIS Data Depot
The purpose of the GIS Data Depot is to promote the open exchange and free transfer of geospatial data over the Internet. The GIS Data Depot currently has over 50,000 web pages containing free geographic data for 250 countries. The GIS Data Depot enables you to download data from a catalog of over one million domestic and international datasets, including nearly all digitally available USGS 24K, 100K, 250K DLG quadrangles, numerous statewide datasets, DEMs, DRGs, DOQQs, and satellite imagery. Most of the vector data is available in E00, SHP, MIF, DXF, or DLG SDTS format with the raster data being either TIFF or JPEG format.
The Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
The Geospatial Data Clearinghouse of the US Federal Geographic Data Commitee is a collection of over 100 spatial data servers, that have digital geographic data primarily for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), image processing systems, and other modelling software. These data collections can be searched through a single interface based on their descriptions, or "metadata."
Swiss Data Locations
Federal Office of Topography (FOT)
FOT offers a wide range of digital data at scales from 1:25,000 to 1:2,000,000. Products include vector datasets with digitized map sheets representing topographic information in thematic layers as well as pixel datasets of scanned maps. Digital height models such as DHM25 with a spatial resolution of 25m and RIMINI with 250m resolution are also available from FOT. Sample data and metadata describing available datasets can be downloaded online from the FOT homepage.
Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO)
SFSO provides two main statistical information sources. All of the statistical databases can be found in the data library section. The SFSO provides access for official statistical data with spatial references such as cantons and municipalities. Data can be accessed online or supplied on various media.
The GEOSTAT Geographical Information System provides information with a spatial reference independent of administrative units, e.g. hectares. Data can be accessed via the SFSO inquiry processing service. The SFSO homepage contains not only Swiss, but also international statistical information.
Ryhiner Map Collection
The Ryhiner map collection at the University Library of Berne is one of the most valuable and extensive collections in the world. It consists of more than 15,000 maps, charts, plans and views from the 16th to the 18th century, covering the whole globe. Together with the 20,000 manuscript maps of the State Archive, the Canton of Berne owns not only a local, but a worldwide geographic data bank.
Other Interesting Sites
USGS National Geospatial Clearinghouse
The USGS Node of the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse is a component of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) of the US. The Clearinghouse provides pathways to find information (metadata) about American geospatial data available through the internet.
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at the University of Texas at Austin holds more than 230,000 maps covering every area of the world. Most maps were produced by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Maps can be viewed online or downloaded in jpeg format.
Harvard Design and Mapping Company, Inc.
Harvard Design & Mapping Company, Inc. (HDM) offers a list of over 700 GIS related links to thousands of GIS / mapping related sites worldwide. This is a site sponsored by academic, governmental and commercial bodies.
Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.(ESRI)
ESRI offers a wide range of services including commercial and freely downloadable data, the ArcData Catalog, and ESRI Data Publishing Services. ESRI's GIS Site is a good starting point to many GIS related sites on the internet.
Digital Maps from the National Atlas of Canada
Small-scale maps of Canadian territory.