OVERVIEWThis site is dedicated to raising the level of spatial and data literacy used in public policy. We invite you to explore curated content, training, best practices, and datasets that can provide a baseline for your research, analysis, and policy recommendations. Learn about emerging policy questions and how GIS can be used to help come up with solutions to those questions.EXPLOREGo to your area of interest and explore hundreds of maps about various topics such as social equity, economic opportunity, public safety, and more. Browse and view the maps, or collect them and share via a simple URL. Sharing a collection of maps is an easy way to use maps as a tool for understanding. Help policymakers and stakeholders use data as a driving factor for policy decisions in your area.ISSUESBrowse different categories to find data layers, maps, and tools. Use this set of content as a driving force for your GIS workflows related to policy. RESOURCESTo maximize your experience with the Policy Maps, we’ve assembled education, training, best practices, and industry perspectives that help raise your data literacy, provide you with models, and connect you with the work of your peers.

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR GOVERNMENT AND CIVICShttp://www.esri.com/geoinquiriesThe Esri GeoInquiry™ collection for Government and Civics contains 20 free, web-mapping activities that correspond and extend map-based concepts in leading middle school Government and Civics science textbooks. The activities use a standard inquiry-based instructional model, require about 15 minutes for a teacher to deliver, and are device agnostic. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework. Fifteen activities are Level 1, requiring no login. Five activities are Level 2, requiring a login and use of the analysis tools in ArcGIS Online.All Government and Civics GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/govGeoInquiries All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR U.S. History

http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

The GeoInquiry™ collection for World History contains 15 free, standards-based activities that correspond and extend spatial concepts found in course textbooks frequently used in introductory world history classes. The activities use a common inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes to deliver, and are device/laptop agnostic. Each activity includes an ArcGIS Online map but requires no login or installation. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework for social studies curriculum standards.

All World History GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/worldHistoryGeoInquiries

All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

GIS in the age of community health (Learn ArcGIS Path). Arm yourself with hands-on skills and knowledge of how GIS tools can analyze health data and better understand diseases._Communities around the world are taking strides in mitigating the threat that COVID-19 (coronavirus) poses. Geography and location analysis have a crucial role in better understanding this evolving pandemic.When you need help quickly, Esri can provide data, software, configurable applications, and technical support for your emergency GIS operations. Use GIS to rapidly access and visualize mission-critical information. Get the information you need quickly, in a way that’s easy to understand, to make better decisions during a crisis.Esri’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) assists with disasters worldwide as part of our corporate citizenship. We support response and relief efforts with GIS technology and expertise.More information...

This layer features special areas of interest (AOIs) that have been contributed to Esri Community Maps using the new Community Maps Editor app. The data that is accepted by Esri will be included in selected Esri basemaps, including our suite of Esri Vector Basemaps, and made available through this layer to export and use offline. Export DataThe contributed data is also available for contributors and other users to export (or extract) and re-use for their own purposes. Users can export the full layer from the ArcGIS Online item details page by clicking the Export Data button and selecting one of the supported formats (e.g. shapefile, or file geodatabase (FGDB)). User can extract selected layers for an area of interest by opening in Map Viewer, clicking the Analysis button, viewing the Manage Data tools, and using the Extract Data tool. To display this data with proper symbology and metadata in ArcGIS Pro, you can download and use this layer file.Data UsageThe data contributed through the Community Maps Editor app is primarily intended for use in the Esri Basemaps. Esri staff will periodically (e.g. weekly) review the contents of the contributed data and either accept or reject the data for use in the basemaps. Accepted features will be added to the Esri basemaps in a subsequent update and will remain in the app for the contributor or others to edit over time. Rejected features will be removed from the app.Esri Community Maps Contributors and other ArcGIS Online users can download accepted features from this layer for their internal use or map publishing, subject to the terms of use below.

Explore the geographic similarities and differences of the locations of the early river valley civilizations. THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR WORLD HISTORYhttp://www.esri.com/geoinquiriesThe GeoInquiry™ collection for World History contains 15 free, standards-based activities that correspond and extend spatial concepts found in course textbooks frequently used in introductory world history classes. The activities use a common inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes to deliver, and are device/laptop agnostic. Each activity includes an ArcGIS Online map but requires no login or installation. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework for social studies curriculum standards. Activities include:· Cradles of Civilization· Silk Roads: Then and now· Medieval Europe: Invasions· The Crusades· Trade and the Black Death· Russian expansion to the sea· Early European exploration· The Reformation· The first European Industrial Revolution· Latin American independence· Age of Napoleon· Africa's bounty and borders· Post-WWI and The League of Nations· African independence

Cooperation since 1945Teachers, GeoMentors, and school administrators can learn more at http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries.

The Human Geography Map (World Edition) web map provides a detailed vector basemap with a monochromatic style and content adjusted to support Human Geography information. Where possible, the map content has been adjusted so that it observes WCAG contrast criteria.This basemap, included in the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, uses 3 vector tile layers:Human Geography Label, a label reference layer including cities and communities, countries, administrative units, and at larger scales street names.Human Geography Detail, a detail reference layer including administrative boundaries, roads and highways, and larger bodies of water. This layer is designed to be used with a high degree of transparency so that the detail does not compete with your information. It is set at approximately 50% in this web map, but can be adjusted.Human Geography Base, a simple basemap consisting of land areas in a very light gray only.The vector tile layers in this web map are built using the same data sources used for other Esri Vector Basemaps. For details on data sources contributed by the GIS community, view the map of Community Maps Basemap Contributors. Esri Vector Basemaps are updated monthly.Learn more about this basemap from the cartographic designer in Introducing a Human Geography Basemap.Use this MapThis map is designed to be used as a basemap for overlaying other layers of information or as a stand-alone reference map. You can add layers to this web map and save as your own map. If you like, you can add this web map to a custom basemap gallery for others in your organization to use in creating web maps. If you would like to add this map as a layer in other maps you are creating, you may use the tile layer item referenced in this map.

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR U.S. History

http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

The GeoInquiry™ collection for World History contains 15 free, standards-based activities that correspond and extend spatial concepts found in course textbooks frequently used in introductory world history classes. The activities use a common inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes to deliver, and are device/laptop agnostic. Each activity includes an ArcGIS Online map but requires no login or installation. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework for social studies curriculum standards.

All World History GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/worldHistoryGeoInquiries

All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

How your GIS department can respond to COVID-19 (ArcGIS Blog).Your organization likely has most of the tools and data necessary for an effective COVID-19 response. Learn how to bring it all together._Communities around the world are taking strides in mitigating the threat that COVID-19 (coronavirus) poses. Geography and location analysis have a crucial role in better understanding this evolving pandemic.When you need help quickly, Esri can provide data, software, configurable applications, and technical support for your emergency GIS operations. Use GIS to rapidly access and visualize mission-critical information. Get the information you need quickly, in a way that’s easy to understand, to make better decisions during a crisis.Esri’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) assists with disasters worldwide as part of our corporate citizenship. We support response and relief efforts with GIS technology and expertise.More information...

World Imagery provides one meter or better satellite and aerial imagery for most of the world’s landmass and lower resolution satellite imagery worldwide. The map is currently comprised of the following sources: Worldwide 15-m resolution TerraColor imagery at small and medium map scales.Maxar imagery basemap products around the world: Vivid Premium at 15-cm HD resolution for select metropolitan areas, Vivid Advanced 30-cm HD for more than 1,000 metropolitan areas, and Vivid Standard from 1.2-m to 0.6-cm resolution for the most of the world, with 30-cm HD across the United States and parts of Western Europe. More information on the Maxar products is included below. High-resolution aerial photography contributed by the GIS User Community. This imagery ranges from 30-cm to 3-cm resolution. You can contribute your imagery to this map and have it served by Esri via the Community Maps Program. Maxar Basemap ProductsVivid PremiumProvides committed image currency in a high-resolution, high-quality image layer over defined metropolitan and high-interest areas across the globe. The product provides 15-cm HD resolution imagery.Vivid AdvancedProvides committed image currency in a high-resolution, high-quality image layer over defined metropolitan and high-interest areas across the globe. The product includes a mix of native 30-cm and 30-cm HD resolution imagery.Vivid StandardProvides a visually consistent and continuous image layer over large areas through advanced image mosaicking techniques, including tonal balancing and seamline blending across thousands of image strips. Available from 1.2-m down to 30-cm HD. More on Maxar HD. Imagery UpdatesYou can use the Updates Mode in the World Imagery Wayback app to learn more about recent and pending updates. Accessing this information requires a user login with an ArcGIS organizational account. CitationsThis layer includes imagery provider, collection date, resolution, accuracy, and source of the imagery. With the Identify tool in ArcGIS Desktop or the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer you can see imagery citations. Citations returned apply only to the available imagery at that location and scale. You may need to zoom in to view the best available imagery. Citations can also be accessed in the World Imagery with Metadata web map.UseYou can add this layer to the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer, ArcGIS Desktop, or ArcGIS Pro. To view this layer with a useful reference overlay, open the Imagery Hybrid web map.FeedbackHave you ever seen a problem in the Esri World Imagery Map that you wanted to report? You can use the Imagery Map Feedback web map to provide comments on issues. The feedback will be reviewed by the ArcGIS Online team and considered for one of our updates.

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR GOVERNMENT AND CIVICShttp://www.esri.com/geoinquiriesThe Esri GeoInquiry™ collection for Government and Civics contains 20 free, web-mapping activities that correspond and extend map-based concepts in leading middle school Government and Civics science textbooks. The activities use a standard inquiry-based instructional model, require about 15 minutes for a teacher to deliver, and are device agnostic. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework. Fifteen activities are Level 1, requiring no login. Five activities are Level 2, requiring a login and use of the analysis tools in ArcGIS Online.All Government and Civics GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/govGeoInquiries All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

This layer shows population broken down by race and Hispanic origin. This is shown by tract, county, and state centroids. This service is updated annually to contain the most currently released American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year data, and contains estimates and margins of error. There are also additional calculated attributes related to this topic, which can be mapped or used within analysis. This layer is symbolized to show the predominant race living within an area, and the total population in that area. To see the full list of attributes available in this service, go to the "Data" tab, and choose "Fields" at the top right. Current Vintage: 2019-2023ACS Table(s): B03002Data downloaded from: Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey Date of API call: December 12, 2024National Figures: data.census.govThe United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS):About the SurveyGeography & ACSTechnical DocumentationNews & UpdatesThis ready-to-use layer can be used within ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, its configurable apps, dashboards, Story Maps, custom apps, and mobile apps. Data can also be exported for offline workflows. For more information about ACS layers, visit the FAQ. Please cite the Census and ACS when using this data.Data Note from the Census:Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see Accuracy of the Data). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables.Data Processing Notes:This layer is updated automatically when the most current vintage of ACS data is released each year, usually in December. The layer always contains the latest available ACS 5-year estimates. It is updated annually within days of the Census Bureau's release schedule. Click here to learn more about ACS data releases.Boundaries come from the US Census TIGER geodatabases, specifically, the National Sub-State Geography Database (named tlgdb_(year)_a_us_substategeo.gdb). Boundaries are updated at the same time as the data updates (annually), and the boundary vintage appropriately matches the data vintage as specified by the Census. These are Census boundaries with water and/or coastlines erased for cartographic and mapping purposes. For census tracts, the water cutouts are derived from a subset of the 2020 Areal Hydrography boundaries offered by TIGER. Water bodies and rivers which are 50 million square meters or larger (mid to large sized water bodies) are erased from the tract level boundaries, as well as additional important features. For state and county boundaries, the water and coastlines are derived from the coastlines of the 2023 500k TIGER Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles. These are erased to more accurately portray the coastlines and Great Lakes. The original AWATER and ALAND fields are still available as attributes within the data table (units are square meters).The States layer contains 52 records - all US states, Washington D.C., and Puerto RicoCensus tracts with no population that occur in areas of water, such as oceans, are removed from this data service (Census Tracts beginning with 99).Percentages and derived counts, and associated margins of error, are calculated values (that can be identified by the "_calc_" stub in the field name), and abide by the specifications defined by the American Community Survey.Field alias names were created based on the Table Shells file available from the American Community Survey Summary File Documentation page.Negative values (e.g., -4444...) have been set to null, with the exception of -5555... which has been set to zero. These negative values exist in the raw API data to indicate the following situations:The margin of error column indicates that either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute a standard error and thus the margin of error. A statistical test is not appropriate.Either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute an estimate, or a ratio of medians cannot be calculated because one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution.The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution, or in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. A statistical test is not appropriate.The estimate is controlled. A statistical test for sampling variability is not appropriate.The data for this geographic area cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small.

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR GOVERNMENT AND CIVICShttp://www.esri.com/geoinquiriesThe Esri GeoInquiry™ collection for Government and Civics contains 20 free, web-mapping activities that correspond and extend map-based concepts in leading middle school Government and Civics science textbooks. The activities use a standard inquiry-based instructional model, require about 15 minutes for a teacher to deliver, and are device agnostic. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework. Fifteen activities are Level 1, requiring no login. Five activities are Level 2, requiring a login and use of the analysis tools in ArcGIS Online.All Government and Civics GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/govGeoInquiries All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR U.S. History

http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

The GeoInquiry™ collection for World History contains 15 free, standards-based activities that correspond and extend spatial concepts found in course textbooks frequently used in introductory world history classes. The activities use a common inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes to deliver, and are device/laptop agnostic. Each activity includes an ArcGIS Online map but requires no login or installation. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework for social studies curriculum standards.

All World History GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/worldHistoryGeoInquiries

All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

Build compelling, insightful applications to help your communities respond to COVID-19.As the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, Esri supports software developers with maps, data hosting, and authoritative content to help you build solutions and aid pandemic response efforts. _Communities around the world are taking strides in mitigating the threat that COVID-19 (coronavirus) poses. Geography and location analysis have a crucial role in better understanding this evolving pandemic.When you need help quickly, Esri can provide data, software, configurable applications, and technical support for your emergency GIS operations. Use GIS to rapidly access and visualize mission-critical information. Get the information you need quickly, in a way that’s easy to understand, to make better decisions during a crisis.Esri’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) assists with disasters worldwide as part of our corporate citizenship. We support response and relief efforts with GIS technology and expertise.More information...

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR AMERICAN LITERATURE

http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

The Esri GeoInquiry™ collection for American Literature contains 15 free, standards-based activities that correspond and extend map-based concepts found in course texts frequently used in high school literature. The activities use a common inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes to deliver, and are device/laptop agnostic. Each activity includes an ArcGIS Online map but requires no login or installation. The activities harmonize with the Common Core ELA national curriculum standards.

All American Literature GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/litGeoInquiries

All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

THE GEOINQUIRIES™ COLLECTION FOR U.S. History

http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

The GeoInquiry™ collection for World History contains 15 free, standards-based activities that correspond and extend spatial concepts found in course textbooks frequently used in introductory world history classes. The activities use a common inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes to deliver, and are device/laptop agnostic. Each activity includes an ArcGIS Online map but requires no login or installation. The activities harmonize with the C3 Framework for social studies curriculum standards.

All World History GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://esriurl.com/worldHistoryGeoInquiries

All GeoInquiries™ can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

This layer shows poverty status by age group. This is shown by tract, county, and state boundaries. This service is updated annually to contain the most currently released American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year data, and contains estimates and margins of error. There are also additional calculated attributes related to this topic, which can be mapped or used within analysis. Poverty status is based on income in past 12 months of survey. This layer is symbolized to show the percentage of the population whose income falls below the Federal poverty line. To see the full list of attributes available in this service, go to the "Data" tab, and choose "Fields" at the top right. Current Vintage: 2019-2023ACS Table(s): B17020, C17002Data downloaded from: Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey Date of API call: December 12, 2024National Figures: data.census.govThe United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS):About the SurveyGeography & ACSTechnical DocumentationNews & UpdatesThis ready-to-use layer can be used within ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, its configurable apps, dashboards, Story Maps, custom apps, and mobile apps. Data can also be exported for offline workflows. For more information about ACS layers, visit the FAQ. Please cite the Census and ACS when using this data.Data Note from the Census:Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see Accuracy of the Data). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables.Data Processing Notes:This layer is updated automatically when the most current vintage of ACS data is released each year, usually in December. The layer always contains the latest available ACS 5-year estimates. It is updated annually within days of the Census Bureau's release schedule. Click here to learn more about ACS data releases.Boundaries come from the US Census TIGER geodatabases, specifically, the National Sub-State Geography Database (named tlgdb_(year)_a_us_substategeo.gdb). Boundaries are updated at the same time as the data updates (annually), and the boundary vintage appropriately matches the data vintage as specified by the Census. These are Census boundaries with water and/or coastlines erased for cartographic and mapping purposes. For census tracts, the water cutouts are derived from a subset of the 2020 Areal Hydrography boundaries offered by TIGER. Water bodies and rivers which are 50 million square meters or larger (mid to large sized water bodies) are erased from the tract level boundaries, as well as additional important features. For state and county boundaries, the water and coastlines are derived from the coastlines of the 2023 500k TIGER Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles. These are erased to more accurately portray the coastlines and Great Lakes. The original AWATER and ALAND fields are still available as attributes within the data table (units are square meters).The States layer contains 52 records - all US states, Washington D.C., and Puerto RicoCensus tracts with no population that occur in areas of water, such as oceans, are removed from this data service (Census Tracts beginning with 99).Percentages and derived counts, and associated margins of error, are calculated values (that can be identified by the "_calc_" stub in the field name), and abide by the specifications defined by the American Community Survey.Field alias names were created based on the Table Shells file available from the American Community Survey Summary File Documentation page.Negative values (e.g., -4444...) have been set to null, with the exception of -5555... which has been set to zero. These negative values exist in the raw API data to indicate the following situations:The margin of error column indicates that either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute a standard error and thus the margin of error. A statistical test is not appropriate.Either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute an estimate, or a ratio of medians cannot be calculated because one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution.The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution, or in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. A statistical test is not appropriate.The estimate is controlled. A statistical test for sampling variability is not appropriate.The data for this geographic area cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small.

The TopoBathy 3D layer provides a global seamless topography (land elevation) and bathymetry (water depths) surface to use in ArcGIS 3D applications.What can you do with this layer?This layer is meant to be used as a ground in ArcGIS Online Web Scenes, ArcGIS Earth, and ArcGIS Pro to help visualize your maps and data in 3D.How do I use this layer?In the ArcGIS Online Web Scene Viewer:Sign-in with ArcGIS Online accountOn the Designer toolbar, click Add Layers Click Browse layers and choose Living Atlas.Search for TopoBathy 3DAdd TopoBathy 3D (Elevation Layer)The TopoBathy 3D will get added under Ground. Change basemap to OceansOptionally, add any other operational layers to visualize in 3DIn ArcGIS Pro:Ensure you are logged in with an ArcGIS Online accountOpen a Global SceneOn the Map tab, click Add Data > Elevation Source LayerUnder Portal, click Living Atlas and search for TopoBathy 3DSelect TopoBathy 3D (Elevation Layer) and click OKThe TopoBathy 3D will get added under GroundOptionally, remove other elevation layers from ground and choose the desired basemapDataset Coverage To see the coverage and sources of various datasets comprising this elevation layer, view the Elevation Coverage Map. Additionally, this layer uses data from Maxar’s Precision 3D Digital Terrain Models for parts of the globe.

Important Note: This item is in mature support as of June 2021 and is no longer updated. This map presents land cover and detailed topographic maps for the United States. It uses the USA Topographic Map service. The map includes the National Park Service (NPS) Natural Earth physical map at 1.24km per pixel for the world at small scales, i-cubed eTOPO 1:250,000-scale maps for the contiguous United States at medium scales, and National Geographic TOPO! 1:100,000 and 1:24,000-scale maps (1:250,000 and 1:63,000 in Alaska) for the United States at large scales. The TOPO! maps are seamless, scanned images of United States Geological Survey (USGS) paper topographic maps.The maps provide a very useful basemap for a variety of applications, particularly in rural areas where the topographic maps provide unique detail and features from other basemaps.To add this map service into a desktop application directly, go to the entry for the USA Topo Maps map service. Tip: Here are some famous locations as they appear in this web map, accessed by including their location in the URL that launches the map:Grand Canyon, ArizonaGolden Gate, CaliforniaThe Statue of Liberty, New YorkWashington DCCanyon De Chelly, ArizonaYellowstone National Park, WyomingArea 51, Nevada