Portals and Clearinghouses
GeoPlatform.gov
“…shared and trusted geospatial data, services, and applications for use by the public and government agencies and partners to meet their mission needs.”
Starting the Hunt
“Guide to Mostly On-Line and Mostly Free U.S. Geospatial and Attribute Data” compiled at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies.
Geospatial data through Data.gov
Open US government data. Includes some examples of applications.
Volunteered Geographic Information
ALA Map and Geospatial Information Round Table Electronic Publication Series no. 12
Big Ten Academic Alliance GeoPortal
Metadata aggregator to assist in locating data.
United States Data
Natural Earth
Freely downloadable land cover and shaded relief data with worldwide coverage. Created from NASA data and graphically enhanced by the National Park Service. Web site and data access courtesy of Tom Patterson.
National Historical Geographic Information System
Aggregate census information for the United States between 1790 and 2000.
The National Map
“The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. The geographic information available from The National Map includes orthoimagery (aerial photographs), elevation, geographic names, hydrography, boundaries, transportation, structures, and land cover. Other types of geographic information can be added within the viewer or brought in with The National Map data into a Geographic Information System to create specific types of maps or map views.”
National Elevation Dataset
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, updated bi-monthly.
EPA Geospatial Resources
Gateway to geospatial data and applications.
Illinois Data
Illinois Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
Includes aerial photography 2005- , surface elevations, land cover, boundaries, geology, hydrology, and climate.
International Data
Africa Data Dissemination Service (ADDS)
Part of USAID’s FEWS project.
Consortium for Spatial Information (CGIAR-CSI)
Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)
INSPIRE Geoportal
Access to data from EU member states.
Natural Resources Canada — Geomatics
Gateway for Canadian remote sensing, geodetic information, and spatial data infrastructure.
Natural Resources Canada — Maps
Gateway to The Atlas of Canada, topographic maps and data, and geographical names resources.