Internet GeoData Resources

James A. Gibson Library




Internet GeoData Resources

This listing offers a selection of web resources where users can view, interact or download geospatial information. "Interactive" map type indicates sites that offer interactive mapping tools. "GIS" map type indicates sites that offer geospatial data in a format available to download for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). "Static" map type indicates that information is available in a static form such as Adobe PDF, JPEG or TIFF.

Some sites may be restricted to the Brock academic community only and may require user ID and password validation. If you require assistance or would like to request geospatial resources from the Map Library please visit the GeoData Listing and fill in the request form.

 
Ontario
Title
Map Type
Description
static
Low cost maps digitally produced to accompany Aggregate Resources Inventory Papers (ARIPs). All maps released since November 1994 are available as digital files.
interactive
GIS
static
An interactive mapping tool that provides information on mining claims in Ontario. The site allows users to download map images as well as data in ESRI shapefile format.
GIS
Low cost geology databases in various formats including ArcInfo coverage, ESRI shapefile and AutoCAD. NOTE: the Quaternary Geology and Bedrock Geology data are available through the Map Library.
static
A map is available to download in PDF format. The map provides small scale detail of the geology and mineral resources for the province.
static
Site provides access to all Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) maps, reports and datasets and over 75,000 private sector Assessment Files, as well as data on mineral occurrences, surface and underground drilling, lithogeochemical results, abandoned mines, bedrock topography, drift thickness, bedrock geology and other geological information for the province of Ontario. Over four hundred digital products containing field data, geophysical surveys, geochemical analyses and geochronological measurements are available for download.
Instructions are available for accessing OGS maps on the web.
GIS
static
Various views and resources for geography and earth sciences studies.
interactive
Interactive mapping of a variety of themes available through the LIO data warehouse. To acquire GIS layers please submit a request to Map Library staff.
GIS
This database is an inventory of mineral deposits in the province of Ontario.
GIS
Various data sets (usually geochemical in nature) for the province of Ontario.
interactive
GIS
An interactive interface that allows users to create customized views and download various provincial topographic mapping data. Layers include roads, water, municipal files, elevation, parks, conservation/wildlife areas and reserves. Download includes GIS and graphics data options.
Learn about other OBM resources here.
interactive
GIS
A viewer provides interactive mapping with download options for road network coverage of Ontario. Download includes GIS and graphics data options. Details and packaged Niagara data are available through the Map Library's fact sheet.
static
Page size road maps of localities and sections of the province are available in PDF format.
interactive
static
The atlas includes a map viewer and wind data generator that provides the public with thematic maps showing wind statistics as well as tables, charts and graphs.
static
Page provides links to soil reports (PDF format) and maps (zipped JPEG format) for all soil surveys in Ontario. Agricultural land use maps (1980s) may also be available with this collection. GIS data layers may be downloaded from the Canadian Soil Information Systems site.
static
This is a searchable database of the property owners' names which appear on the township maps in the county atlases. Township maps, portraits and properties have been scanned, with links from the property owners' names in the database.
 
Regions & Cities of Ontario
Title
Map Type
Description
GIS
A page developed by the Map Library offering links to download free GIS and mapping resources to the public.
GIS
A page developed by the Map Library offering links to download free GIS and mapping resources to the public.
interactive
GIS
An interactive mapping tool and GIS data portal for information describing the Grand River watershed. Users are required to register before files can be downloaded.
interactive
GIS
static
Site provides a centralized location to discover, publish, and acquire geospatial data for areas within the Great Lakes region.
static
Plan and maps are available for viewing or downloading in Adobe PDF format.
interactive
Site offers interactive mapping for the city including aerial photography, cultural features, public works, community services, etc.
interactive
Interactive mapping including 2000 and 2006 orthophotos as a base with various options for viewing additional layers. Click the link under "Public" to access the viewer.
static
Site offers PDF versions of the Niagara Escarpment Plan and page-size to poster-size versions of the plan maps. Additional details and statistics are also available.
static
Site offers a variety of information regarding conservation areas, stream flow conditions (updated graphs) and floodplain mapping (PDF files) for the Niagara Peninsula Watershed.
interactive
Site provides interactive web mapping for communities in eastern Ontario from Kawartha Lakes to Cornwall and Algonquin Park to Lake Ontario. A variety of layers are available for viewing including 2001 census, roads, parks, utilities and municipal boundaries.
interactive
Site provides interactive mapping of the Toronto waterfront including an historical shoreline superimposed on current orthoimagery.
interactive
static
Page lists homepages for municipalities/regions/counties in Ontario.
 
Western Provinces
Title
Map Type
Description
Agri-maps (Manitoba)
interactive
Interactive map viewer. GIS data relating to agriculture and the agriculture industry can be displayed and customized to a certain degree. Data is not available for download.
GIS Map Gallery (Manitoba)
interactive
Interactive mapping tool for displaying mineral resources and related information for the province of Manitoba.
interactive
GIS
Site offers a variety of methods of viewing and accessing a wide range of geospatial information for the province of Manitoba. Resources are available through interactive mapping, direct download or referral to outside sources may be suggested. Data files include topographic information, land use, orthoimagery, forest inventory, place names, geology - to name a few. Users are required to register before accessing the site.
Community Mapping Network (British Columbia)
interactive
Interactive web mapping services providing layers of natural resources information and maps. Extensive metadata is available including details about acquiring GIS data layers. First time users must install the free Autodesk Mapguide Viewer.
interactive
GIS
static
Site offers interactive mapping of the territory as well as downloads of static maps and GIS data.
 
Eastern Provinces
Title
Map Type
Description
GIS
Site provides a selection of digital products for download featuring the geology of Nova Scotia.
interactive
GIS
Site offers interactive mapping of the province as well as free GIS data downloads reflecting a variety of themes including forest coverage, parks, roads, water resources; to name a few.
 
Canada
Title
Map Type
Description
static
Site hosts a collection of over 4,000 digital images of historical maps and plans from the Library and Archives Canada collection. These images are available for online viewing.
interactive
static
Site provides a wide range of interactive and static thematic maps of Canada. The site links to GeoGratis for data downloads.
GIS
Site provides census data and documention for various years of the census of Canada. NOTE: access is limited to valid Brock University academia only.
interactive
GIS
Maps are available through an interactive mapping webpage as well as free GIS data downloads in ESRI interchange files (.e00).
interactive
static
This site features colour maps representing the average wind velocity and power for the whole country, procedures for generating different simulation maps, and a download section where data files are used to create custom simulations.
static
The inventory is compiled approximately every five years by aggregating provincial and territorial forest management inventories and reconnaissance level information.
GIS
static
Scanned National Topographic Series (NTS) maps are georeferenced TIFF files and are available for download. Instructions for downloading the georeferenced or PDF maps are available. Local CanMatrix maps for the greater Golden Horseshoe are available using the Brock University Map Library interface.
GIS
Geobase is a federal, provincial and territorial government initiative that is overseen by the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG). It is undertaken to ensure the provision of, and access to, a common, up-to-date and maintained base of quality geospatial data for all of Canada. Through the GeoBase portal, users with an interest in the field of geomatics have access to quality geospatial information at no cost and with unrestricted use.
GIS
Geoconnections is a gateway to millions of geospatial data products and is the prime discovery and access component of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). Users may acquire data by browsing metadata records or searching by subject, coverage or product type to find, evaluate, visualize and access the geospatial data.
GIS
static
Geogratis is a portal provided by the Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) which provides geospatial data at no cost. The collections include raster data (such as satellite images, scanned maps including: topographic, Atlas of Canada, International Map of the World), vector data (such as national-scale frameworks), and a database of ground control points.
GIS
The Geography Network (ESRI portal) Canada is an online resource for finding and sharing geographic content, including maps and data, from many of Canada's leading providers.
GIS
static
Site offers access to scanned Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) maps and GIS layers (.shp) for thousands of published maps. Instructions for downloading scanned GSC maps are available.
interactive
static
GeoSearch 2006 (Canada) provides an interactive tool for thematic mapping and searching 2006 census data. Instructions for obtaining census data using GeoSearch are available.
interactive
static
This site is an online learning project providing a rich environment in which one can explore a variety of historical themes and episodes in the history of Canada using interactive mapping tools, graphics and text.
static
Site offers this popular small scale topographic map series in JPEG and PDF versions as well as a zoomable web viewing interface.
interactive
GIS
Site provides access to Web sites and interactive mapping tools and GIS layer downloads dealing with land, soil, water, climate and biodiversity resources in Canada. These sites will be useful to all who share a concern about the health and safety of food and water, the growing demand for new products, and about environmentally sustainable food production.
GIS
Site provides the most up-to-date road data for all of Canada. The data is available in ESRI shapefile format, free to download and is organized by province.
National Soils Database
(includes CANSIS)
interactive
GIS
Provides a set of computer readable files which contain soil, landscape, and climatic data for all of Canada. It serves as the national archive for land resources information that was collected by federal and provincial field surveys, or created by land data analysis projects. The NSDB includes GIS coverages at a variety of scales, and the characteristics of each named soil series. Access the interactive mapping service here.
GIS
Site comprises digital vector data for all of Canada. GIS layers reflect all features found on their paper counterparts from the National Topographic System (i.e. watercourses, urban areas, railways, roads, vegetation, and relief). Each data set consists of one NTS map unit at either the 1:50,000 or 1:250,000 scale. Scanned topographic maps are available from GeoGratis.
interactive
GIS
static
Site includes links to the variety of national mapping offered by NRCan including topographic maps, Atlas of Canada, Aerial Photography, Satellite Imagery, Geological Maps, Land Surveying/GPS, Forest Inventory Maps, Mining Maps and Drainage Basins Maps, to name a few.
interactive
Topographic mapping of Canada accessed through an interactive mapping environment. Detail of the maps is based on the 1:50,000 scale National Topographic Database (NTDB) produced by Natural Resources Canada.
 
Statistics Canada:
interactive
E-STAT is a Statistics Canada database available to the educational community. Generate dynamic tables, customize graphs and maps using Statistics Canada's Census of Population and socioeconomic data. Instructions for creating census maps using E-STAT are available.
interactive
This site provides an interactive tool for thematic mapping and searching 2006 census data. Instructions for using GeoSearch are available.
static
A profile tool that offers a summary of census information based on a community of your choice.
data statistics
This site offers direct download of census tables in HTML and Beyond 2020 format. Data at the Dissemination Area level are restricted to Brock University academia only. See staff for assistance.
data statistics
Products include: Highlight tables; Topic-based tabulations; Aboriginal population profile; Census tract (CT) profiles; Federal electoral district (FED) profile; Special interest profiles; Profile for Statistical Area Classification; Census trends and 2006 Profile of Aboriginal Children, Youth and Adults.
data statistics
Listing of all profile series data for the 2001 census. Useful for acquiring data at the census division and subdivision levels.
GIS
GIS layers reflecting boundaries of standard geographic areas.
NOTE: access is limited to valid Brock University academia only.
 
United States
Title
Map Type
Description
static
Site offers maps, Federal Recreation passes, scientific reports, educational materials, and much more for direct download.
interactive
Site offers interactive mapping, GIS data download and digital raster graphics for topographic mapping for the United States.
interactive
Site offers interactive mapping plus a range of static maps in PDF and GIF format covering a variety of subject matter.
GIS
The data depot provides a variety of GIS layers for the United States.
interactive
GIS
static
Geospatial resources for the United States. Find GIS data, geospatial data or map services. Iinteractive mapping: The "National Map" offers a variety of live web mapping services - make a map and save it for future reference. Some options require a simple registration but most resources are available free of charge.
interactive
GIS
Site offers details, interactive mapping and data download for the American Census.
 
World
Title
Map Type
Description
interactive
An interactive world road map with satellite imagery viewing options for the entire globe. Use Google search power to find street addresses, cities, countries and other locations of interest. Streetview offers 360 degree views from selected streets around the world, though coverage of Canada is non-existant, our neighbours to the south is well represented as well as popular cities in Europe and Australia. Sign up with Google and create customized maps to share with others via email or a website. Instructions are available.
interactive
software
A free software download providing a variety of geographic information on a satellite imagery base. Upgrades are available at a cost offering extra features such as importing GIS data layers, database files or data directly from a GPS unit. Instructions are available.
interactive
Microsoft's version of Google Maps and offers a seemless road map with aerial views as well as "Bird's Eye Views" of key locations. Aerial coverage compliments Google maps coverage in some parts of the world (i.e.Niagara Region coverage is seemless). Traffic layers offer real-time Canadian content and indicates locations of accidents with details such as estimated "end times".
GIS
Free maps and data are available to use with ArcGIS projects. Download and add 'live' layers directly from the ESRI server. Connection to the Internet is required to use the layer files.
 
NOTE: The Brock University Map Library accepts no responsibility for the accuracy and/or integrity of the resources found on the Internet - this includes potential harm that data or applications may cause to your research or computer hardware.
 

 

Sample topographic map data
Free Topographic Data

Large scale topographic data is available for all of Canada in vector and raster data formats.

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