GIS Data: Best GIS Datasets & Databases

What is GIS Data?

GIS data is the backbone of geographical science, and it involves information about locations on the earth’s surface. It relates to information regarding location such as an address, latitude, and longitude. At a basic level, GIS data enables geographers to compare locations and make informed decisions based on the interrelation between the data and various locations. It also provides details about geographical features on the earth’s surface, including its soil and seismic composition. GIS data falls into two sub-categories: vector and raster data. Vector data is represented in either points, lines, or polygons. Raster data is represented in cell-based and elevation data.

How is GIS Data collected?

Surveying is the most holistic approach to GIS data collection. Through surveys, data is either gathered through remote sensing and GPS tracking. Surveys are a primary data collection technique that allows cartographers to create geographical maps. The data can also be collected using digital globes, a 3D illustration of the earth. This data collection technique is the most effective, considering that it is less susceptible to distortions, and it is easily scalable. Location-based Services (LBS) through smartphone apps are also emerging as accurate location trackers for gathering and updating GIS data.

What are the attributes of GIS Data?

GIS data is based on the notion that location matters. As a result, the data is organized spatially, distinguishing it from other information systems. Typical GIS attributes include latitidue/longitude cooridinates and metres above sea level. GIS data is usually expressed digitally, just like other information systems. Its attributes are relevant to several fields, including geography, cartography, and mathematics.

What is GIS Data used for?

Typically GIS data is used to make informed decisions in various industries and companies. One of the common uses of GIS data is mapping. The data can be used to provide visual interpretations key in giving locations. Google Maps is a perfect example of GIS mapping offering navigation solutions. Because the data provides geographical information, it’s is also vital in urban planning. When appropriately applied, GIS data can be used to identify areas for potential urban growth. GIS data is also integral in environmental impact analysis - it can be used to assess the extent of human impact on the environment. GIS is used in several areas relating to government, infrastructure and public services including inventory and administration of resources, crime mapping, building and monitoring routes, managing networks, monitoring and managing transports, managing assets, disaster management and mitigation, and flood damage estimation.

How can a user assess the quality of GIS Data?

GIS data quality can be assessed using several metrics. GIS data providers will be able to prove that their collection methodology and technology ensures the most accurate location and geographic information possible. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certificates are also a good means of ensuring that data providers offer accurate, ethical and complete datasets that can be used for making effective, informed decisions. The data provider’s review may also help determine whether it provides high-quality data that can be used to improve geographical science.

GIS/Spatial Data quality can be broken down into data precision, data accuracy and data consistency.

• Data Precision: Precision is the degree of detail that are shown in a uniform space.
• Data Accuracy: Is the reported data the same as the real value?
• Data Consistency: Data consistency is the absence of conflicts in a specific database.

Assessment of the quality of GIS data:
GIS data quality is evaluated using different evaluation methods by different users.

• The first level of evaluation is performed by the data provider. This is based on data quality check based on the above data specifications.
• The second level of data quality evaluation is done at the consumer side where feedback is taken from the consumer and processed. Then the data is analyzed on the basis of processed response.

Browse different GIS data providers on Datarade Marketplace to find the right mpas, datasets, and APIs for your project.

Where can I buy GIS Data?

Data providers and vendors listed on Datarade sell GIS Data products and samples. Popular GIS Data products and datasets available on our platform are SafeGraph GIS Data | Global Coverage | 41M+ Places by SafeGraph, Intuizi Country Origin Dataset | Geospatial Mobility detail data for 94 countries | Cloud delivery | 400m Uniques, updated daily by Intuizi, and BoldData - B2B Contact Data & Company Data in Transport and Logistics (1.3M contacts) by BoldData.

How can I get GIS Data?

You can get GIS Data via a range of delivery methods - the right one for you depends on your use case. For example, historical GIS Data is usually available to download in bulk and delivered using an S3 bucket. On the other hand, if your use case is time-critical, you can buy real-time GIS Data APIs, feeds and streams to download the most up-to-date intelligence.

What are similar data types to GIS Data?

GIS Data is similar to Location Data, Map Data, Satellite Data, Point of Interest (POI) Data, and Cell Tower Data. These data categories are commonly used for Location Intelligence and Location Verification.

What are the most common use cases for GIS Data?

The top use cases for GIS Data are Location Intelligence and Location Verification.