The "Map Image Layer - Watershed Boundaries" is the Map Image Layer of Watershed Boundaries. It has been designed specifically for use in ArcGIS Online (and will not directly work in ArcMap or ArcPro). This data has been modified from the original source data to serve a specific business purpose. This data is for cartographic purposes only.The Watershed Boundaries Data Group contains the following layers: DNR Catchments (MnDNR)HUC 12 Boundaries (USGS)HUC 12 IWM Group Boundaries (MPCA)HUC 10 Boundaries (USGS)HUC 8 Boundaries (USGS): HUC 8s represent part or all of a surface drainage basin, a combination of drainage basins, or a distinct hydrologic feature. There are 80 HUC 2s in Minnesota. (i.e. Zumbro (07040004))HUC 6 Boundaries (USGS): HUC 6s are areas which divide the subregions into more than 350 hydrologic accounting units. Minnesota has 17 of the nations hydrologic accounting units: Northwestern Lake Superior (040101), St. Louis (040102), Southwestern Lake Superior (040103), Mississippi Headwaters (070101), Upper Mississippi-Crow-Rum (070102), Minnesota (070200), St. Croix (070300), Upper Mississippi-Black-Root (070400), Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum (070600), Upper Mississippi-Skunk-Wapsipinicon (070801), Iowa (070802), Des Moines (071000), Upper Red (090201), Lower Red (090203), Rainy (090300), Big Sioux (101702), Missouri-Little Sioux (102300).HUC 4 Boundaries (USGS): HUC 4s are geographic subregions which are drained by a river system, a reach of river and its tributaries in that reach, a closed basin, or a group of streams forming a coastal drainage areas. Minnesota has 12 of the nations 222 subregions: Western Lake Superior (0401), Mississippi Headwaters (0701), Minnesota (0702), St. Croix (0703), Upper Mississippi-Black-Root (0704), Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum (0706), Upper Mississippi-Iowa-Skunk-Wapsipinicon (0708), Des Moines (0710), Red (0902), Rainy (0903), Missouri-Big Sioux (1017), Missouri-Little Sioux (1023).HUC 2 Boundaries (USGS): HUC 2s are geographic regions which contain the drainage of a major river or a series of rivers. Minnesota has 4 of the nations 21 regions: Great Lakes (R04), Upper Mississippi (R07), Souris-Red-Rainy (R09), and Missouri (R10).These datasets have not been optimized for fast display (but rather they maintain their original shape/precision), therefore it is recommend that filtering is used to show only the features of interest. For more information about using filters please see "Work with map layers: Apply Filters": https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/create-maps/apply-filters.htmFor additional information about the Watershed Boundary Dataset please see:United States Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2294: https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp2294/Hydrologic Units, The National Atlas of the United State of America: https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hydrologic_units/pdf/hydrologic_units.pdfNational Hydrography Dataset, Watershed Boundary Dataset: https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/national-hydrography/watershed-boundary-dataset

NCED is currently involved in researching the effectiveness of anaglyph maps in the classroom and are working with educators and scientists to interpret various Earth-surface processes. Based on the findings of the research, various activities and interpretive information will be developed and available for educators to use in their classrooms. Keep checking back with this website because activities and maps are always being updated. We believe that anaglyph maps are an important tool in helping students see the world and are working to further develop materials and activities to support educators in their use of the maps.

This website has various 3-D maps and supporting materials that are available for download. Maps can be printed, viewed on computer monitors, or projected on to screens for larger audiences. Keep an eye on our website for more maps, activities and new information. Let us know how you use anaglyph maps in your classroom. Email any ideas or activities you have to ncedmaps@umn.edu

Anaglyph paper maps are a cost effective offshoot of the GeoWall Project. Geowall is a high end visualization tool developed for use in the University of Minnesota's Geology and Geophysics Department. Because of its effectiveness it has been expanded to 300 institutions across the United States. GeoWall projects 3-D images and allows students to see 3-D representations but is limited because of the technology. Paper maps are a cost effective solution that allows anaglyph technology to be used in classroom and field-based applications.

Maps are best when viewed with RED/CYAN anaglyph glasses!

A note on downloading: "viewable" maps are .jpg files; "high-quality downloads" are .tif files. While it is possible to view the latter in a web-browser in most cases, the download may be slow. As an alternative, try right-clicking on the link to the high-quality download and choosing "save" from the pop-up menu that results. Save the file to your own machine, then try opening the saved copy. This may be faster than clicking directly on the link to open it in the browser.

World Map: 3-D map that highlights oceanic bathymetry and plate boundaries.

Continental United States: 3-D grayscale map of the Lower 48.

Western United States: 3-D grayscale map of the Western United States with state boundaries.

Regional Map: 3-D greyscale map stretching from Hudson Bay to the Central Great Plains. This map includes the Western Great Lakes and the Canadian Shield.

Minnesota Map: 3-D greyscale map of Minnesota with county and state boundaries.

Twin Cities: 3-D map extending beyond Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Twin Cities Confluence Map: 3-D map highlighting the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. This map includes most of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Minneapolis, MN: 3-D topographical map of South Minneapolis.

Bassets Creek, Minneapolis: 3-D topographical map of the Bassets Creek watershed.

North Minneapolis: 3-D topographical map highlighting North Minneapolis and the Mississippi River.

St. Paul, MN: 3-D topographical map of St. Paul.

Western Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka area.

Minnesota River Valley Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina area.

Southern Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of Burnsville, Lakeville and Prior Lake area.

Southeast Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Apple Valley and Eagan area.

Northeast Suburbs, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of White Bear Lake, Maplewood and Roseville area.

Northwest Suburbs, Mississippi River, Twin Cities: 3-D topographical map of North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center and Maple Grove area.

Blaine, MN: 3-D map of Blaine and the Mississippi River.

White Bear Lake, MN: 3-D topographical map of White Bear Lake and the surrounding area.

Maple Grove, MN: 3-D topographical map of the NW suburbs of the Twin Cities.

Minnesota River: 3-D topographical map of the Minnesota River Valley highlighting the river bend in Mankato.

St. Croix River: 3-D topographical map of the St. Croix extending from Taylors Falls to the Mississippi confluence.

Mississippi River, Lake Pepin: 3-D topographical map of the confluence of Chippewa Creek and the Mississippi River.

Red Wing, MN: 3-D topographical map of Redwing, MN on the Mississippi River.

Winona, Minnesota: 3-D topographical map of Winona, MN highlighting the Mississippi River.

Cannon Falls, MN: 3-D topographical map of Cannon Falls area.

Rochester, MN: 3-D topographical map of Rochester and the surrounding area.

Northfield, MN: 3-D topographical map of Northfield and the surrounding area.

St. Louis River, MN: 3-D map of the St. Louis River and Duluth, Minnesota.

Lake Itasca, MN: 3-D map of the source of the Mississippi River.

Elmore, MN: 3-D topographical map of Elmore, MN in south-central Minnesota.

Glencoe, MN: 3-D topographical map of Glencoe, MN.

New Prague, MN: 3-D topographical map of the New Prague in south-central Minnesota.

Plainview, MN: 3-D topographical map of Plainview, MN.

Waterville-Morristown: 3-D map of the Waterville-Morris area in south-central Minnesota.

Eau Claire, WI: 3-D map of Eau Claire highlighting abandon river channels.

Dubuque, IA: 3-D topographical map of Dubuque and the Mississippi River.

Londonderry, NH: 3-D topographical map of Londonderry, NH.

Santa Cruz, CA: 3-D topographical map of Santa Cruz, California.

Crater Lake, OR: 3-D topographical map of Crater Lake, Oregon.

Mt. Rainier, WA: 3-D topographical map of Mt. Rainier in Washington.

Grand Canyon, AZ: 3-D topographical map of the Grand Canyon.

District of Columbia: 3-D map highlighting the confluence of the rivers and the Mall.

Ireland: 3-D grayscale map of Ireland.

New Jersey: 3-D grayscale map of New Jersey.

SP Crater, AZ: 3-D map of random craters in the San Francisco Mountains.

Mars Water Features: 3-D grayscale map showing surface water features from Mars.

An official map of Three Rivers Park District

This data set provides a statewide view of telephone exchange service area boundaries.

In addition, LATAs (local access and transport areas) and wire centers are included. At the time of the Bell System breakup, Bell operating companies were restricted to operations within specific areas called LATAs. Wire centers or 'wire center serving area', refers to the area to which local service is provided by one or more switches located at a single point. The wire center serving area is often the same area as the exchange, but a wire center can be equal to a portion of an exchange or to several exchanges combined.

The data was compiled in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota incumbent local exchange carriers.

This map provides a spatial illustration of different means by which racial segregation was historically reinforced across the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The map focuses largely on data from the 1940s, and includes the following data layers:Population by Race - Data based on 1940 US Census that shows the percentage of the non-white population at the census tract level. This data was downloaded from NHGIS, with a spatial join performed to combine the census table and historic tracts (Citation: Steven Manson, Jonathan Schroeder, David Van Riper, Katherine Knowles, Tracy Kugler, Finn Roberts, and Steven Ruggles, IPUMS National Historical Geographic Information System: Version 18.0. Minneapolis, MN: IPUMS. 2023).HOLC Map Zones by Number of Covenants - This layer displays a summary of the number of racially exclusive covenants within the area of zones designated by grade on HOLC redlining maps. The polygons of each grade zone were digitized by the Mapping Inequality Project (University of Richmond Digital Scholarship Lab) and are symbolized by the grade colors on the original maps. The data on racially exclusive covenants in Twin Cities neighborhoods was downloaded from the Mapping Prejudice Project (University of Minnesota) and is symbolized by the size of each feature.Greenbook Locations - This layer displays locations included on Greenbook travel guides from the 1940s, which indicate safe businesses for African American travelers to American Cities. This data comes from a service layer created by Shana Crosson (University of Minnesota).This spatial extent of this map is limited to the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It was created as part of an in-class exercise in February of 2024.

The 2022 cartographic boundary KMLs are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database (MTDB). These boundary files are specifically designed for small-scale thematic mapping. When possible, generalization is performed with the intent to maintain the hierarchical relationships among geographies and to maintain the alignment of geographies within a file set for a given year. Geographic areas may not align with the same areas from another year. Some geographies are available as nation-based files while others are available only as state-based files. The cartographic boundary files include both incorporated places (legal entities) and census designated places or CDPs (statistical entities). An incorporated place is established to provide governmental functions for a concentration of people as opposed to a minor civil division (MCD), which generally is created to provide services or administer an area without regard, necessarily, to population. Places always nest within a state, but may extend across county and county subdivision boundaries. An incorporated place usually is a city, town, village, or borough, but can have other legal descriptions. CDPs are delineated for the decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places. CDPs are delineated to provide data for settled concentrations of population that are identifiable by name, but are not legally incorporated under the laws of the state in which they are located. The boundaries for CDPs often are defined in partnership with state, local, and/or tribal officials and usually coincide with visible features or the boundary of an adjacent incorporated place or another legal entity. CDP boundaries often change from one decennial census to the next with changes in the settlement pattern and development; a CDP with the same name as in an earlier census does not necessarily have the same boundary. The only population/housing size requirement for CDPs is that they must contain some housing and population. The generalized boundaries of most incorporated places in this file are based on those as of January 1, 2022, as reported through the Census Bureau's Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS). The generalized boundaries of all CDPs are based on those delineated as part of the Census Bureau's Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) for the 2020 Census.

description: The TRSQ digital data set represents the Township, Range, Section, Quarter section, and Quarter-quarter section divisions of the state. Beginning in the late 1840s, the federal government began surveying Minnesota as part of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). The resulting network of land survey lines divided the state into townships, ranges, sections, quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections and government lots, and laid the groundwork for contemporary land ownership patterns. The quarter-quarter section remains an important subdivision for rural Minnesota since these lines are used to define local boundaries, roads, and service areas. All survey lines were extended across water bodies despite the fact that U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) base maps depict them only on land. This addition allows all sections and townships to be represented as closed areas ensuring that township and range location can be determined for any point in the state. It also means that the data is not affected if lake levels change over time. The township, range and section boundaries were digitized at MnGeo (formerly the Land Management Information Center - LMIC) from the USGS 30' x 60' map series (1:100,000-scale). Quarter section and quarter-quarter section subdivisions were calculated using the section lines. They were not digitized from original plat book survey lines or from the meandered lines that surveyors laid out around water bodies. The existence of government lots within a quarter-quarter section is recorded in the data set; however, the government lot boundaries were not digitized. If a quarter-quarter section contains more than one government lot, the number of lots is recorded -- see Lineage, Section 2, for more detail. Note: For most uses, TRSQ has been superseded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 1:24,000-scale 'Control Point Generated PLS' data set which is free online. See https://gisdata.mn.gov/dataset/plan-mndnr-public-land-survey for more information. Also, many county surveyors offices have more accurate PLS (Public Land Survey) data sets. For county webpages and contact information, see http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/cty_contacts.html .; abstract: The TRSQ digital data set represents the Township, Range, Section, Quarter section, and Quarter-quarter section divisions of the state. Beginning in the late 1840s, the federal government began surveying Minnesota as part of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). The resulting network of land survey lines divided the state into townships, ranges, sections, quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections and government lots, and laid the groundwork for contemporary land ownership patterns. The quarter-quarter section remains an important subdivision for rural Minnesota since these lines are used to define local boundaries, roads, and service areas. All survey lines were extended across water bodies despite the fact that U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) base maps depict them only on land. This addition allows all sections and townships to be represented as closed areas ensuring that township and range location can be determined for any point in the state. It also means that the data is not affected if lake levels change over time. The township, range and section boundaries were digitized at MnGeo (formerly the Land Management Information Center - LMIC) from the USGS 30' x 60' map series (1:100,000-scale). Quarter section and quarter-quarter section subdivisions were calculated using the section lines. They were not digitized from original plat book survey lines or from the meandered lines that surveyors laid out around water bodies. The existence of government lots within a quarter-quarter section is recorded in the data set; however, the government lot boundaries were not digitized. If a quarter-quarter section contains more than one government lot, the number of lots is recorded -- see Lineage, Section 2, for more detail. Note: For most uses, TRSQ has been superseded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 1:24,000-scale 'Control Point Generated PLS' data set which is free online. See https://gisdata.mn.gov/dataset/plan-mndnr-public-land-survey for more information. Also, many county surveyors offices have more accurate PLS (Public Land Survey) data sets. For county webpages and contact information, see http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/cty_contacts.html .

This dataset includes the main MNDNR Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) feature class, along with ancillary feature classes such as annotation and parking lots. These feature classes support MNNR's SNA Work Planning application.

scientific_and_natural_area_boundaries: A polygon feature class delineated on and digitized from 1:24,000 U.S.G.S. quad maps of Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs).

Scientific and natural areas are established to protect and perpetuate in an undisturbed natural state those lands and waters embracing natural features of exceptional scientific and educational value. The SNA Program's goal is to ensure that no single rare feature is lost from any region of the state. This requires protection and management of each feature in sufficient quantity and distribution across the landscape. The Programs' Long Range Plan is to protect at least five locations of plant communities known to occur in each landscape region, and three locations per region of each rare species, plant or animal, and geologic feature. It is estimated that 500 natural areas are needed throughout the state to adequately protect significant features. Because over 40 percent of these rare features occur in prairies, 200 SNAs would be in the prairie area of the state. Of the remainder, approximately 135 are estimated to be needed in the deciduous and 165 in coniferous forest landscape communities in the next 100 years. Protection of multiple sites in each landscape region is a vital means of capturing the genetic diversity and preventing the loss of important species, communities, and features. This strategy observes the wisdom of not putting all our eggs in one basket.

In addition to SNA, Itasca and Crow Wing Counties have established county natural areas. Itasca County's natural areas were established in 1966. Sites are set aside as SNAs because of their natural attributes and rare resources, which warrant protection for their inherent values and as places for scientific and educational use. Protection guards against developments such as trails, campgrounds, picnic sites, logging, mineral exploration and development, cultivation, and other uses of land, public or private, that interfere with the preservation of its natural features

This layer is a component of Natural resources interactive map.

This data set approximates polygon boundaries for zip codes within Minnesota. The polygon boundaries are approximate since the U.S. Postal Service assigns zip codes to linear features (streets), not to geographic areas. Since neither the U.S. Postal Service nor the U.S. Census Bureau maintains official zip code boundary files or maps, LMIC created this file in order to be able to map data aggregated by zip code. LMIC worked with regional post office sites to delineate areas within which letter carriers delivered mail with the same zip code.

An official map of Three Rivers Park District

This dataset shows electric utility service area boundaries for the State of Minnesota. The original source data were lines hand-drawn on county highway maps. The maps were scanned and georeferenced to serve as a background for on-screen digitizing. The utilities were then given an opportunity to review and correct the service areas. Changes filed with the Public Utilities Commission (eDockets) were also reviewed to update the areas.

The Soil Atlas project provides a consistent, statewide map series and GIS data set describing soil and landscape characteristics. The data is generalized. The scale of 1:250,000, or about 1/4 inch to 1 mile, makes it possible to show areas as small as 1 square mile. The data set and maps were created in the 1970's to provide information to support generalized planning over broad areas. The maps were not intended to replace the detailed soil surveys, but to provide a more general overview, and to provide make soil description information available until such a time as soil surveys were completed statewide. The Soil Atlas map series was developed by the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate of the University of Minnesota, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (previously Soil Conservation Service), U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Geological Survey. Two main descriptors of soils are groupings of Soil Landscape Units based on a number of factors (soil texture of the rooting zone, soil texture below the rooting zone, drainage, and color), and delineations of Geomorphic Regions, which illustrate broad physiographic features and provide some characterization of the parent materials of the soils. Further soils characterizations are derived from these primary categories. Printed maps were converted to EPPL raster GIS format via grid-cell coding by the Minnesota Land Management Information System at the University of Minnesota (now the Land Management Information Center).

This map shows counties in Minnesota categorized by CERTs region. When you zoom in to the county level, you will be able to see electric utility service territory boundaries and click to see contact info for the utility.

The Digital Geologic-GIS Map of Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (pipe_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file (pipe_geology.mapx) and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (pipe_geology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (pipe_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (pipe_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (pipe_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the pipe_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri.htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: National Park Service, Midwest Region. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (pipe_geology_metadata.txt or pipe_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:12,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 10.2 meters or 33.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Food for Thought (4th Edition) is a set of 18 Minnesota academic standards-based K-12 lessons and maps. This unique classroom resource is the result of a long-standing working relationship between the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation and Program and the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education (MAGE). MAGE support allows access to this curriculum FREE of charge.

These lessons provide a wide breadth of content and companion maps with the goal inspiring interest in the geography of Minnesota agriculture and enrich the classroom learning experience. These lessons and maps are designed to enable students and others to locate themselves amidst the grand mosaic of fields, ethanol plants, roads and food processing facilities found across Minnesota. It is our hope that this curriculum will create a sense of connection between Minnesota residents and those engaged in agriculture.

The bond between agriculture and geography is evident in the academic standards for social studies, specifically geography. Food for Thought boasts agricultural-related benchmarks for all grades. These lessons support the expectation of students to be able to use maps to understand regions, analyze contemporary lifestyles and make informed locational decisions.

The entire 4th Edition of Food for Thought is available online and the 18 lesson Teacher Guide is also available in hard copy. A Minnesota Ag in the Classroom hard copy book can also be ordered. The full menu (44 maps) of companion maps is available in both full color and black and white versions. The curriculum includes 44 printable (PDF) maps and online interactive maps. See: http://minnesota.agclassroom.org/educator/fft.cfm

Parks and Wildlife Management Areas map showing management areas within Scott County.

The 2015 cartographic boundary KMLs are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database (MTDB). These boundary files are specifically designed for small-scale thematic mapping. When possible, generalization is performed with the intent to maintain the hierarchical relationships among geographies and to maintain the alignment of geographies within a file set for a given year. Geographic areas may not align with the same areas from another year. Some geographies are available as nation-based files while others are available only as state-based files. The records in this file allow users to map the parts of Urban Areas that overlap a particular county. After each decennial census, the Census Bureau delineates urban areas that represent densely developed territory, encompassing residential, commercial, and other nonresidential urban land uses. In general, this territory consists of areas of high population density and urban land use resulting in a representation of the "urban footprint." There are two types of urban areas: urbanized areas (UAs) that contain 50,000 or more people and urban clusters (UCs) that contain at least 2,500 people, but fewer than 50,000 people (except in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam which each contain urban clusters with populations greater than 50,000). Each urban area is identified by a 5-character numeric census code that may contain leading zeroes. The primary legal divisions of most states are termed counties. In Louisiana, these divisions are known as parishes. In Alaska, which has no counties, the equivalent entities are the organized boroughs, city and boroughs, municipalities, and for the unorganized area, census areas. The latter are delineated cooperatively for statistical purposes by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. In four states (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more incorporated places that are independent of any county organization and thus constitute primary divisions of their states. These incorporated places are known as independent cities and are treated as equivalent entities for purposes of data presentation. The District of Columbia and Guam have no primary divisions, and each area is considered an equivalent entity for purposes of data presentation. The Census Bureau treats the following entities as equivalents of counties for purposes of data presentation: Municipios in Puerto Rico, Districts and Islands in American Samoa, Municipalities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The entire area of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas is covered by counties or equivalent entities. The boundaries for counties and equivalent entities are as of January 1, 2010.

This dataset is a digital soil survey and generally is the most detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by digitizing maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct base and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely sensed and other information.

This dataset consists of georeferenced digital map data and computerized attribute data. The map data are in a soil survey area extent format and include a detailed, field verified inventory of soils and miscellaneous areas that normally occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line features) is optional. This layer displays the location of features too small to delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and management. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the National Soil Information System relational database, which gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.

Note: This metadata record was created by MnGeo to serve as a generic record for all SSURGO data sets within Minnesota. See the individual county metadata records created by NRCS for county-specific information; these records are included in the data set download files.

The 2015 cartographic boundary shapefiles are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the U.S. Census Bureau's Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database (MTDB). These boundary files are specifically designed for small-scale thematic mapping. When possible, generalization is performed with the intent to maintain the hierarchical relationships among geographies and to maintain the alignment of geographies within a file set for a given year. Geographic areas may not align with the same areas from another year. Some geographies are available as nation-based files while others are available only as state-based files. The records in this file allow users to map the parts of Urban Areas that overlap a particular county. After each decennial census, the Census Bureau delineates urban areas that represent densely developed territory, encompassing residential, commercial, and other nonresidential urban land uses. In general, this territory consists of areas of high population density and urban land use resulting in a representation of the "urban footprint." There are two types of urban areas: urbanized areas (UAs) that contain 50,000 or more people and urban clusters (UCs) that contain at least 2,500 people, but fewer than 50,000 people (except in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam which each contain urban clusters with populations greater than 50,000). Each urban area is identified by a 5-character numeric census code that may contain leading zeroes. The primary legal divisions of most states are termed counties. In Louisiana, these divisions are known as parishes. In Alaska, which has no counties, the equivalent entities are the organized boroughs, city and boroughs, municipalities, and for the unorganized area, census areas. The latter are delineated cooperatively for statistical purposes by the State of Alaska and the Census Bureau. In four states (Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia), there are one or more incorporated places that are independent of any county organization and thus constitute primary divisions of their states. These incorporated places are known as independent cities and are treated as equivalent entities for purposes of data presentation. The District of Columbia and Guam have no primary divisions, and each area is considered an equivalent entity for purposes of data presentation. The Census Bureau treats the following entities as equivalents of counties for purposes of data presentation: Municipios in Puerto Rico, Districts and Islands in American Samoa, Municipalities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The entire area of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas is covered by counties or equivalent entities. The boundaries for counties and equivalent entities are as of January 1, 2010.