Geospatial Data and Software

Geospatial data and software are used to collect, analyze and interpret geographic information. Geomatics is the science of collecting, storing, analyzing and interpreting spatial data. Geospatial data can be used in a variety of applications such as mapping, surveying, navigation, land use planning, environmental monitoring, and resource management.

Nova Scotia Open data and other Free Geospatial Data setsGeomatics data and software are used in industries such as agriculture, forestry, engineering, urban planning, oil and gas, and mining. Geomatics software includes Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, surveying and mapping software, and other specialized applications. The combination of these technologies allow for efficient and accurate data collection and analysis, as well can be used to help identify trends and patterns in the environment, track the movement of animals and natural resources, and monitor the health of ecosystems. Geomatics data and software are essential for understanding and managing the Earth‘s resources.

The “Geospatial Data and Software” section of our site includes information related to a wide array of geospatial data and software related topics. See the various pages listed further below for more information …

If you have information related to Geospatial Data and Software that you think we should share here, then please do let us know.

Canadian opendata

Canadian Open Data and Free Geospatial Data

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Over the past few years CanadianGIS.com has been highlighting and promoting various cities and provinces in Canada that have done a great job providing data and applications to the public. We created this page a few years ago to collaborate links of all the open geospatial data info (sites that offer data downloads at no cost and without restrictions), fee based geospatial data, online web mapping applications and other great sources of geospatial information (including National, Provincial and Regional levels). This comprehensive list of open geospatial data, fee based geospatial data, web mapping applications and cartographic products is a valuable asset to many people (... we get hundreds of emails and requests regarding "Where can I find data for ...?") so we continue to update it with new information and sources of Canadian data sets.
Northern Canada Map

Northern Canada Map

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Beautiful Northern Canada Map featuring the Canadian North in support of Natural Resources Canada and the Government of Canada’s Northern Strategy. This bilingual map product (available either in paper or digital formats) features the vast geography of the north from approximately 50° latitude and above.
Indigenous Place Names in Canada map

Indigenous Place Names in Canada Map

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The map depicts Indigenous Place Names in Canada, shared by several First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. A high resolution digital version is provided that may be downloaded for free and printed for personal or educational uses.
Climate Atlas of Canada

The Climate Atlas

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The Climate Atlas of Canada is an innovative tool allowing users to better comprehend climate change in Canada. It combines scientific data, mapping, and stories, and helps encourages action and solutions. The goal of the mapping application is to help make climate change more meaningful and engaging to Canadian Citizens. Check out how this online mapping application is helping to ...
Fortress of Louisburg Maps

Fortress of Louisburg Maps

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Recently we purchased some old maps at a yard sale, and one of the old map books contained a tattered map featuring the Fortress of Louisbourg that we scanned, cleaned up in photo-shop and then reproduced. While searching for the date and source of our map print we also noticed that there have been several old Fortress of Louisbourg maps created and have included a few the links here to share with others ...
Alberta 1921 map

1921 Map of Alberta

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Historic map of Alberta taken from Putnam's Handy Volume Atlas of the World that was published in 1921
ColorBrewer

ColorBrewer Color Scheme Selector

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ColorBrewer 2.0 is a simple online tool that helps you choose appropriate color schemes to use with your online mapping projects. It works with 3 different types of data schemes: sequential (data that ranges from low to high), diverging (data with equal an emphasis on critical values and extremes) or qualitative ( best suited for nominal or categorical data).
Explore nearly 150 years of Kingston History using Maps and Aerial Images

Explore nearly 150 years of Kingston History using Maps and Aerial Images

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The Snapshot Kingston online mapping application allows people to explore nearly 150 years of Kingston History using Maps and Aerial Images. See how this application is helping citizens better appreciate their history and geography ...
GIS Formats and Geospatial File Extensions

GIS Formats and Geospatial File Extensions

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) formats are specialized file types created to store and organize geographic data, including maps, databases, images, and other types of spatial data. These formats usually contain details about the geographic features’ location, shape, and characteristics, and can be utilized for various purposes, for example, mapping, analysis, and visualization. Encountering unfamiliar GIS formats or geospatial file extensions can be a daunting task for professionals, especially with the constant evolution of the geomatics sector. With various commercial and open-source software tools readily available to the geospatial community, it is common to come across new formats and extensions that one may not be familiar with. To assist in this ...