What is GIS Data? Examples, Datasets and Providers
- Overview
- Datasets
- Providers
- Use Cases
- Attributes
- Guide
- FAQ
- Overview
- Datasets
- Providers
- Use Cases
- Attributes
- Guide
- FAQ
What is GIS Data?
GIS data is essential for geographical science, involving information about locations on the earth’s surface. It relates to specifics such as addresses, latitude, and longitude. At a basic level, GIS data helps geographers compare locations and make decisions based on relationships between data and locations. It also provides details about geographical features, including soil and seismic composition. GIS data is divided into vector and raster data. Vector data is represented in points, lines, or polygons. Raster data is represented in cell-based and elevation data.
What are Examples of GIS Data?
Examples of GIS data include detailed information about points of interest (POIs), such as exact addresses, latitude/longitude coordinates, and business attributes.
GIS data appears in various forms, such as digital maps, tables, and charts. It is visualized on a map where different data layers show relationships. For example, a map might display land use data, water bodies, and transportation networks together, enabling users to analyze how these elements interact.
Examples of GIS (Geographic Information System) data include:
- Topographical Data: Elevation, terrain features, and natural landscapes.
- Administrative Boundaries: Political or zoning boundaries, such as cities, counties, or states.
- Land Use and Land Cover: Information about how land is utilized and its surface features.
- Infrastructure Layers: Data on roads, utilities, and transportation networks.
- Environmental Data: Information about ecosystems, water bodies, and natural resources.
Best GIS Databases & Datasets
The best GIS datasets provide accurate spatial and geographic data layers for mapping, urban planning, and location analysis. This curated list features the top GIS datasets, selected for precision, quality, and trusted providers.
GIS Data | 164M+ Global Places
SafeGraph GIS Data | Global Coverage | 52M+ Places
Global Geospatial & GIS Data | 230M+ POIs with Location Coordinates, Mapping Metadata & 5000 Categories
GIS Data| Asia and MENA POIs| Understand Your Retail Competitor Landscape | Location Data | Point of Interest Data
GIS Data | Global Geospatial data | Postal/Administrative boundaries | Countries, Regions, Cities, Suburbs, and more
PREDIK Data-Driven: GIS Data | USA, Latam | Demographics & POI Data | Audience Data - Places Data
Geospatial Data | Places Data | Polygon Data | GIS Data | Store Location Data | Global Coverage
Mobile Network Coverage | GIS Data | EU + US Indoor mobile network signal strength
BestPlace: POI Dataset, GIS Database, Census data for Retail CPG & FMCG analytics
Noise Pollution Index Maps | Global Map Data | On-Demand, GIS-Ready Visuals for Real Estate & Smart City Applications
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Top GIS Data Providers & Companies
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InfobelPRO
CoverageUSAUK+248VI got into a discussion with the Infobel team to then finalize the deal to enrich our applications with information on companies (so B2B data). All data is provided through APIs, allowing our customers to search for company details whenever they need it (for prospection, validation, etc.). It has been nearly a year now, and we're happy with the data we got and with the collaboration itself. Best
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Xtract
CoverageUSAUK+248VIt has been a great experience working with Xtract.io. Their data quality was top-notch, helping us strategize new locations for business expansion. Thank you, team, for giving us the right datasets that we require to expand our store outlets.
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SafeGraph
CoverageUSAUK+248VWe are using safegraph data to research on the foot traffic of airports in the U.S. We find it very helpful with lots of documentation. The customer support is awesome. You can post in the slack channel and got a response very quickly
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GeoPostcodes
CoverageUSAUK+248GeoPostcodes provides the world's most comprehensive zip code data for Enterprise customers. Our database includes zip codes, cities, and administrative areas for 247 countries and is updated weekly. 124 Fortune 500 companies trust us, including IBM, DB Schenker, Ernst & Young, and Amazon.247Countries8.6 MZip codes880kBoundaries -
Teragence
CoverageUSAUK+51VWavemobile is "the mobile network for not spots". We deploy our proprietary equipment in locations where there is zero coverage, enabling rural and remote communities to enjoy quality mobile coverage. Teragence coverage data has given us the capability to quickly verify locally available mobile connectivity- and to do this from the comfort of our own offices. This has given us significant time and money savings and the ability to better target our sales and marketing efforts . I highly recommend Teragence for anyone who wants to understand local mobile connectivity at a granular level.
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CAP Locations
CoverageUSAUK+1CAP (Competitive Analytics Professionals) is the leading provider of Location Data in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.46K+Shopping Centers7.81B+Total Retail GLA Tracked98%Centers Geofenced
Popular Use Cases for GIS Data
GIS data is essential for a wide range of applications in planning and analysis. A key use case is location intelligence, where GIS data layers provide insights into geographic trends, helping businesses and governments make informed decisions. Another critical application is urban planning, using GIS data to design infrastructure, optimize land use, and develop sustainable cities. By integrating GIS data into their workflows, organizations can better analyze spatial patterns and improve project outcomes.
Main Attributes of GIS Data
Below, we outline the most popular attributes associated with this type of data—features that data buyers are actively seeking to meet their needs.
| Attribute | Type | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Float | The latitude of a point on earth's surface. Commonly abbreviated as "lat". | View 34 datasets | |
| Float | The longitude of a point on earth's surface. Commonly abbreviated as "long". | View 29 datasets | |
| String | The address of a company or contact (street name, number, zip code, city, county, country). | View 23 datasets | |
| String | The name of a location. | View 16 datasets | |
| String | The latitude and longitude of a position. | View 15 datasets | |
| String | The name of a brand. | View 14 datasets |
GIS Data Use Cases in Detail
GIS is used by a wide range of professionals across various industries, including:
- Urban Planners: For designing and managing urban infrastructure.
- Environmental Scientists: For studying ecosystems and managing natural resources.
- Emergency Responders: For planning and executing disaster response strategies.
- Location Intelligence: For site selection, market analysis, and logistics planning.
These users rely on accurate GIS data to support their decision-making processes. For instance, a city planning department might use GIS data to find the best routes for emergency services. By overlaying, satellite imagery data, population density data with transportation network data, they can determine where new roads are needed.
GIS Data Attributes
| Attribute | Description | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geospatial Coordinates | Latitude and longitude for precise location mapping. | E.g., 40.712776, -74.005974. | |
| Topology | Spatial relationships between geographic features. | E.g., Adjacency, connectivity of roads. | |
| Attribute Data | Descriptive information linked to spatial features. | E.g., Building name, type of land use. | |
| Layer Information | Data organized in layers for analysis. | E.g., Roads, rivers, and land parcels. | |
| Projection System | Coordinate system used to represent spatial data. | E.g., WGS84, UTM Zone 33N. | |
| Temporal Data | Time-based changes in geographic features. | E.g., Land use changes from 2000 to 2020. | |
| Elevation Data | Height information for 3D analysis. | E.g., 150 meters above sea level. | |
| Thematic Data | Specific themes like climate, population, or vegetation. | E.g., Average rainfall per year. | |
| Metadata | Information about the dataset’s source and accuracy. | E.g., Collected by Satellite X, 95% accuracy. | |
| Spatial Hierarchy | Hierarchical relationships between geographic entities. | E.g., Parcel within a district, district within a state. |
Types of GIS Data
GIS data comes in three main types:
- Vector Data: Represents geographic features using points, lines, and polygons; ideal for discrete data like boundaries and landmarks.
- Raster Data: Uses a grid of cells to represent geographic features, best for continuous data like elevation and land cover.
- Polygon Data: A type of vector data specifically for representing area features like lakes and political boundaries.
How is GIS Data Collected?
GIS data collection methods include:
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Surveys: Field surveys using GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment are essential for capturing precise location data. Surveyors collect data points that are used to create detailed maps and models of specific areas.
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Remote Sensing: This involves collecting satellites data and aerial photography. Satellites can capture images and other data across large areas, providing information on land use, weather patterns, and more.
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Sensors: Ground-based sensors are used to collect various types of environmental data. For example, weather stations measure temperature, humidity, and wind speed, while water sensors can monitor the quality of water bodies.
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Crowdsourcing: Leveraging the power of the public, crowdsourcing gathers data through apps and online platforms. Users can contribute information about specific locations, such as mapping trails, or identifying species in a particular area.
How Does GIS Work?
GIS captures, stores, analyzes, and displays spatial data. The process typically involves:
- Data Collection: Gathering spatial data from various sources.
- Data Storage: Organizing the data in databases.
- Data Analysis: Using tools and algorithms to analyze spatial relationships.
- Data Visualization: Displaying results on maps and charts for easy interpretation.
Why is GIS Data Important?
Data is crucial in GIS because it provides the foundational information needed for geographic analysis. GIS data enables:
- Decision Making: Informed decisions based on spatial relationships and patterns.
- Planning: Efficient urban planning, resource management, and disaster response.
- Analysis: Detailed environmental, demographic, and economic analysis.
GIS Data Analysis
GIS data analysis involves processing spatial data to uncover patterns and relationships. Common techniques include:
- Overlay Analysis: Combining multiple layers of data to find intersections.
- Buffering: Creating zones around features to analyze proximity.
- Spatial Statistics: Using statistical methods to analyze spatial data.
What is the Difference Between GPS and GIS?
GPS and GIS serve different purposes:
- GPS (Global Positioning System): Provides location and time information anywhere on Earth using satellites.
- GIS (Geographic Information System): Captures, stores, analyzes, and displays spatial and geographic data.
GPS offers raw data for GIS to create detailed maps and perform spatial analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often is GIS Data Updated?
GIS data is typically refreshed on a monthly basis, although some providers offer on-demand updates depending on the data’s use case. This regular update cycle ensures that you’re always working with the most up-to-date information. If you require more frequent updates for time-sensitive projects, we recommend opting for providers that offer real-time or near real-time data.
What Geographic Areas Does GIS Data Cover?
GIS data provides extensive global coverage, including detailed data from North America, Europe, Asia, and many other regions. For businesses that require highly specific location data, we suggest verifying the region and granularity of the data before purchasing.
How is GIS Data Delivered?
GIS data is available through a variety of delivery methods, such as cloud storage (e.g., S3 Bucket), UI Export, or through APIs like REST. It is commonly provided in formats like CSV, JSON, or shapefiles, ensuring flexibility and easy integration with your systems. If you prefer a specific format or delivery method, we recommend discussing these options with your provider to ensure compatibility with your tools.
How Much Does GIS Data Cost?
The price of GIS data can fluctuate depending on the resolution, geographic scope, and how frequently the data is updated. Providers may offer one-off purchases for specific datasets or subscription models for ongoing access. You can also explore usage-based pricing if your project requires sporadic data retrieval. We recommend starting with a data sample to evaluate its fit before committing to a larger investment.
What are Similar Data Types to GIS Data?
GIS data is closely related to several other geospatial categories, including location data, map data, satellite data, and point of interest (POI) data. These data categories are interconnected and commonly used in location intelligence and geospatial analytics.
