Key Features and Tools
GEO.ca distinguishes itself through a suite of features and tools that help facilitate data discovery, visualization, and analysis. Some of these include:
Geospatial Search and Discovery Engine
At the heart of GEO.ca is geoCore, a next-generation search engine that transforms traditional metadata into a flexible, high-performance “metadata lake.” This enables rapid, semantic, and context-aware searches across the platform’s extensive data holdings. It supports multiple metadata standards, ensuring interoperability with a wide range of data sources and user requirements.
It’s capabilities are further enhanced by machine learning-powered semantic search and a Similarity Engine, which recommends related datasets based on user queries and metadata relationships. This approach streamlines the discovery process, making it easier for users to find relevant data even when they are unfamiliar with specific dataset titles or terminologies.
Interactive Map Viewer
The interactive map viewer, geoView built on open-source OpenLayers library and react framework. It allows users to visualize, explore, and overlay multiple datasets without requiring advanced mapping expertise. It is highly configurable, supports custom plugins, and is designed for accessibility and bilingual use. It features fast load times, keyboard support, and ongoing improvements to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
The viewer leverages the authoritative Canada Basemap, which integrates official place names, administrative boundaries, and topographic data from both CanVec and GeoBase, supplemented by OpenStreetMap data where necessary. The basemap is available in both Canada Atlas Lambert and Pseudo-Mercator projections, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of mapping applications.
AI-Powered Search and Recommendations
The portal incorporates artificial intelligence to enhance search relevance and user experience. Its semantic search engine is trained on the meanings and relationships of words, enabling it to deliver more accurate and contextually appropriate results. The Similarity Engine provides recommendations for the top 10 most similar datasets, helping users discover related resources efficiently.
Map Gallery and Custom Map Creation
The Map Gallery showcases a curated selection of thematic maps, including flood mapping, hydrospatial networks, elevation models, and commemorative maps.
Users can reuse existing maps, draw inspiration for their own projects, or create and share custom maps by combining datasets of interest. The platform supports exporting maps for offline use and sharing them with collaborators.