8 replies to this topic

[ColinS]

Hi, I've been lurking for a while but this is my first post here.

I'm currently at a work placement that has just started getting some GIS going, and part of what I've been doing is getting data to use. Everything is Ontario based and that hasn't been a problem, but what I'm really looking for is some US data that I can use to flesh out the maps. Mostly interested in the border states such as Michigan and Minnesota, but all would be nice to have. Has to be free and unrestrictive.

I have looked at the Census/Tiger stuff but it seems to be all political boundaries rather than land boundaries which is what I'm really after. Basically I'm looking for something like the Canadian Geogratis but for the states.

Any help is appreciated and let me know if I've missed some really obvious source.

[David Medeiros]

Like this?

www.naturalearthdata.com

[kay]

What kind of datasets you were looking for?

Every state, country, and any other government has some sort of "GIS data" web site and those GIS data are distributed for free usually.... They are distributed in the varieties of formats: shapefile, geodatabase, KML/KMZ as well as GeoTiff, MrSID, ECW...etc etc...
Just google "<state name> GIS". It will hit some GIS web pages. Exploring US datasets are very fun!

I hope this helps .
Kay

[oldtoby]

The state of Michigan has lots of data available:

Michigan data

[s hubbard]

start with the university of Arkanasas site: UA_GIS

i also plug the university of South Carolina site frequently: USC_GIS

mapcruizin has alot of data links >> mapcruizin
it's cluttered and you have to surf around it ALOT to find different things, but can find some cool links.

the universities/colleges of the u.s. are usually (i find) the best source for lots of good, free data.
bad news is, with the bad economy, some sites are downsizing or providing less and less.
some even require an account/registration, but worth it usually >>

[razornole]

"start with the university of Arkanasas site: UA_GIS"

Go Hogs Go!

To your question I use the National Atlas every now and then, the site has some good data.

http://nationalatlas...apters=#chpgeol

kru

[ColinS]

All of this looks great, thanks. I just kept finding dumb pay sites but I knew there had to be stuff like this out there.

[Crischan]

The Minnesota DNR Data Deli has quite a bit of data, much of it is nature-related, but administration-related data can be found as well.

[BCowper]

Here's a site from the state that has a ton of free data:
http://www.michigan....2693---,00.html