In this course, you will learn to work within the free and open-source R environment with a specific focus on working with and analyzing geospatial data. We will cover a wide variety of data and spatial data analytics topics, and you will learn how to code in R along the way. The Introduction module provides more background info about the course and course set up. This course is designed for someone with some prior GIS knowledge. For example, you should know the basics of working with maps, map projections, and vector and raster data. You should be able to perform common spatial analysis tasks and make map layouts. If you do not have a GIS background, we would recommend checking out the West Virginia View GIScience class. We do not assume that you have any prior experience with R or with coding. So, don't worry if you haven't developed these skill sets yet. That is a major goal in this course. Background material will be provided using code examples, videos, and presentations. We have provided assignments to offer hands-on learning opportunities. Data links for the lecture modules are provided within each module while data for the assignments are linked to the assignment buttons below. Please see the sequencing document for our suggested order in which to work through the material. After completing this course you will be able to: prepare, manipulate, query, and generally work with data in R. perform data summarization, comparisons, and statistical tests. create quality graphs, map layouts, and interactive web maps to visualize data and findings. present your research, methods, results, and code as web pages to foster reproducible research. work with spatial data in R. analyze vector and raster geospatial data to answer a question with a spatial component. make spatial models and predictions using regression and machine learning. code in the R language at an intermediate level.

The global geospatial data market is poised for significant expansion, projected to reach $3,788 million and grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period of 2025-2033. This robust growth is propelled by an increasing demand for location-based intelligence across diverse industries. Key drivers include the proliferation of IoT devices generating vast amounts of location data, advancements in satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies, and the growing adoption of AI and machine learning for analyzing complex geospatial datasets. The enterprise sector is emerging as a dominant application segment, leveraging geospatial data for enhanced decision-making in areas such as logistics, urban planning, real estate, and natural resource management. Furthermore, government agencies are increasingly utilizing this data for public safety, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring. The market is characterized by a bifurcated segmentation between vector data, representing discrete geographic features, and raster data, depicting continuous phenomena like elevation or temperature. Both segments are experiencing healthy growth, driven by specialized applications and analytical needs. Emerging trends include the rise of real-time geospatial data streams, the increasing importance of high-resolution imagery, and the integration of AI-powered analytics to extract deeper insights. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, high infrastructure costs for data acquisition and processing, and the need for skilled professionals to interpret and utilize the data effectively may pose some restraints. Despite these hurdles, the overwhelming benefits of actionable location intelligence are expected to drive sustained market expansion, with North America and Europe currently leading in adoption, followed closely by the rapidly growing Asia Pacific region. This in-depth report delves into the dynamic and rapidly evolving Geospatial Data Provider market, offering a comprehensive analysis from the historical period of 2019-2024 through to a robust forecast extending to 2033. With the Base Year and Estimated Year set at 2025, the report provides an up-to-the-minute snapshot and a forward-looking perspective on this critical industry. The market size, valued in the millions, is meticulously dissected across various segments, companies, and industry developments.

Snapshot img

GIS Market Size 2025-2029

The GIS market size is forecast to increase by USD 24.07 billion, at a CAGR of 20.3% between 2024 and 2029.

The Global Geographic Information System (GIS) market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and GIS technologies. This convergence enables more effective spatial analysis and decision-making in various industries, particularly in soil and water management. However, the market faces challenges, including the lack of comprehensive planning and preparation leading to implementation failures of GIS solutions. Companies must address these challenges by investing in thorough project planning and collaboration between GIS and BIM teams to ensure successful implementation and maximize the potential benefits of these advanced technologies.
By focusing on strategic planning and effective implementation, organizations can capitalize on the opportunities presented by the growing adoption of GIS and BIM technologies, ultimately driving operational efficiency and innovation.

What will be the Size of the GIS Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
Request Free Sample

The global Geographic Information Systems (GIS) market continues to evolve, driven by the increasing demand for advanced spatial data analysis and management solutions. GIS technology is finding applications across various sectors, including natural resource management, urban planning, and infrastructure management. The integration of Bing Maps, terrain analysis, vector data, Lidar data, and Geographic Information Systems enables precise spatial data analysis and modeling. Hydrological modeling, spatial statistics, spatial indexing, and route optimization are essential components of GIS, providing valuable insights for sectors such as public safety, transportation planning, and precision agriculture. Location-based services and data visualization further enhance the utility of GIS, enabling real-time mapping and spatial analysis.

The ongoing development of OGC standards, spatial data infrastructure, and mapping APIs continues to expand the capabilities of GIS, making it an indispensable tool for managing and analyzing geospatial data. The continuous unfolding of market activities and evolving patterns in the market reflect the dynamic nature of this technology and its applications.

How is this GIS Industry segmented?

The GIS industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Software
  Data
  Services


Type

  Telematics and navigation
  Mapping
  Surveying
  Location-based services


Device

  Desktop
  Mobile


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The software segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The Global Geographic Information System (GIS) market encompasses a range of applications and technologies, including raster data, urban planning, geospatial data, geocoding APIs, GIS services, routing APIs, aerial photography, satellite imagery, GIS software, geospatial analytics, public safety, field data collection, transportation planning, precision agriculture, OGC standards, location intelligence, remote sensing, asset management, network analysis, spatial analysis, infrastructure management, spatial data standards, disaster management, environmental monitoring, spatial modeling, coordinate systems, spatial overlay, real-time mapping, mapping APIs, spatial join, mapping applications, smart cities, spatial data infrastructure, map projections, spatial databases, natural resource management, Bing Maps, terrain analysis, vector data, Lidar data, and geographic information systems.

The software segment includes desktop, mobile, cloud, and server solutions. Open-source GIS software, with its industry-specific offerings, poses a challenge to the market, while the adoption of cloud-based GIS software represents an emerging trend. However, the lack of standardization and interoperability issues hinder the widespread adoption of cloud-based solutions. Applications in sectors like public safety, transportation planning, and precision agriculture are driving market growth. Additionally, advancements in technologies like remote sensing, spatial modeling, and real-time mapping are expanding the market's scope.

Request Free Sample

The Software segment was valued at USD 5.06 billion in 2019 and sho

Spatial analysis and statistical summaries of the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) provide land managers and decision makers with a general assessment of management intent for biodiversity protection, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation access across the nation. This data release presents results from statistical summaries of the PAD-US 3.0 protection status (by GAP Status Code) and public access status for various land unit boundaries (Protected Areas Database of the United States 3.0 Vector Analysis and Summary Statistics). Summary statistics are also available to explore and download (Comma-separated Table [CSV], Microsoft Excel Workbook (.xlsx), Portable Document Format [.pdf] Report) from the PAD-US Lands and Inland Water Statistics Dashboard ( https://www.usgs.gov/programs/gap-analysis-project/science/pad-us-statistics ). The vector GIS analysis file, source data used to summarize statistics for areas of interest to stakeholders (National, State, Department of the Interior Region, Congressional District, County, EcoRegions I-IV, Urban Areas, Landscape Conservation Cooperative), and complete Summary Statistics Tabular Data (CSV) are included in this data release. Raster GIS analysis files are also available for combination with other raster data (Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 3.0 Raster Analysis). The PAD-US 3.0 Combined Fee, Designation, Easement feature class in the full inventory, with Military Lands and Tribal Areas from the Proclamation and Other Planning Boundaries feature class (Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 3.0, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q9LQ4B), was modified to prioritize and remove overlapping management designations, limiting overestimation in protection status or public access statistics and to support user needs for vector and raster analysis data. Analysis files in this data release were clipped to the Census State boundary file to define the extent and fill in areas (largely private land) outside the PAD-US, providing a common denominator for statistical summaries.

The Geospatial Data Provider market is booming, projected to reach $6.225 billion by 2033 with a 6.1% CAGR. Discover key trends, regional analysis, leading companies (Esri, SafeGraph, PlanetObserver), and future growth opportunities in this comprehensive market report.

The Geospatial Analytics Artificial Intelligence market is poised for substantial growth, with an estimated market size of $10,500 million in 2025. This burgeoning sector is projected to expand at a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22% through 2033, reaching an impressive value unit of millions. This significant expansion is primarily fueled by the increasing adoption of AI and machine learning techniques within the geospatial domain, enabling more sophisticated data analysis and actionable insights. Key drivers include the escalating demand for real-time location intelligence across diverse industries such as real estate for site selection and market analysis, sales and marketing for customer segmentation and targeted campaigns, and agriculture for precision farming and yield optimization. Furthermore, the growing need for enhanced situational awareness in transportation and logistics for route optimization and supply chain management, alongside applications in weather forecasting and disaster management, are propelling market growth. The integration of advanced analytics with spatial data allows for the identification of complex patterns, prediction of future trends, and automation of decision-making processes, making geospatial AI an indispensable tool for businesses and governments worldwide. The market is characterized by a dynamic interplay of technological advancements and evolving application needs. The increasing availability of high-resolution satellite imagery and aerial data, coupled with the proliferation of IoT devices generating location-based data, provides a rich foundation for geospatial AI. Trends such as the rise of cloud-based geospatial platforms, the development of sophisticated AI algorithms for image recognition and spatio-temporal analysis, and the growing emphasis on democratizing access to geospatial insights are shaping the market landscape. While the market enjoys strong growth, certain restraints, such as the high cost of implementing advanced AI solutions and a potential shortage of skilled geospatial AI professionals, may temper the pace of adoption in some segments. However, the inherent value proposition of geospatial analytics AI in driving efficiency, innovation, and informed decision-making across sectors like real estate, sales, agriculture, and transportation, alongside the continuous development of more accessible and powerful tools, ensures its sustained and significant expansion in the coming years. This report delves into the burgeoning field of Geospatial Analytics Artificial Intelligence (AI), analyzing its market dynamics, trends, and future trajectory from 2019 to 2033. With a base year of 2025 and a forecast period extending to 2033, this comprehensive study offers an in-depth examination of a market projected to reach multi-million dollar valuations. We will explore the intricate interplay of AI and location-based data, highlighting how sophisticated algorithms are revolutionizing various industries. The report identifies key players, emerging technologies, and critical growth drivers that are shaping this transformative sector. By understanding the challenges and opportunities, stakeholders can strategically position themselves for success in this rapidly evolving landscape.

In this course, you will explore a variety of open-source technologies for working with geosptial data, performing spatial analysis, and undertaking general data science. The first component of the class focuses on the use of QGIS and associated technologies (GDAL, PROJ, GRASS, SAGA, and Orfeo Toolbox). The second component of the class introduces Python and associated open-source libraries and modules (NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, GeoPandas, Rasterio, WhiteboxTools, and Scikit-Learn) used by geospatial scientists and data scientists. We also provide an introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL) for performing table and spatial queries. This course is designed for individuals that have a background in GIS, such as working in the ArcGIS environment, but no prior experience using open-source software and/or coding. You will be asked to work through a series of lecture modules and videos broken into several topic areas, as outlined below. Fourteen assignments and the required data have been provided as hands-on opportunites to work with data and the discussed technologies and methods. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us. We hope to continue to update and improve this course. This course was produced by West Virginia View (http://www.wvview.org/) with support from AmericaView (https://americaview.org/). This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. G18AP00077. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. After completing this course you will be able to: apply QGIS to visualize, query, and analyze vector and raster spatial data. use available resources to further expand your knowledge of open-source technologies. describe and use a variety of open data formats. code in Python at an intermediate-level. read, summarize, visualize, and analyze data using open Python libraries. create spatial predictive models using Python and associated libraries. use SQL to perform table and spatial queries at an intermediate-level.

Spatial analysis and statistical summaries of the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) provide land managers and decision makers with a general assessment of management intent for biodiversity protection, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation access across the nation. This data release (PAD-US 4.1 Vector Analysis and Summary Statistics) presents results from statistical summaries of the PAD-US 4.1 protection status (by GAP Status Code) and public access status for various land unit boundaries. Summary statistics are also available to explore and download from the PAD-US Statistics Dashboard ( https://www.usgs.gov/programs/gap-analysis-project/science/pad-us-statistics ). The vector GIS analysis file, source data used to summarize statistics for areas of interest to stakeholders (National, State, Department of the Interior Region, Congressional District, County, EcoRegions I-IV, Urban Areas, Landscape Conservation Cooperative), and complete Summary Statistics Tabular Data (CSV) are included in this data release. Raster analysis files are also available for combination with other raster data (PAD-US 4.1 Raster Analysis child item). The PAD-US Combined Fee, Designation, Easement feature class in the Full Inventory Database, with Military Lands and Tribal Areas from the Proclamation and Other Planning Boundaries feature class, was modified to prioritize and remove overlapping management designations, limiting overestimation in protection status or public access statistics and to support user needs for vector and raster analysis data. Analysis files in this data release were clipped to the Census State boundary file to define the extent and fill in areas (largely private land) outside the PAD-US, providing a common denominator for statistical summaries.

In Spring 2019, with funding from several State partners, MassGIS contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey for statewide, 15 cm resolution, 16-bit, 4-band (RGB-IR) digital orthophotos. The data were delivered in early 2020 as 10,218 individual 1,500 m x 1,500 m tiles in a GeoTIFF format. To allow for easier distribution of this free imagery, MassGIS compressed the GeoTIFFS into the JPEG 2000 format, which retains the IR band. The tile naming convention is based on the U.S. National Grid (USNG), taking the coordinates of the southwest corner of the tile.Project specifications are based on the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) standards. The data were developed based on a horizontal projection/datum of NAD 1983 2011 UTM zones 18N and 19N meters and a vertical projection/datum of NAVD 88 (GEOID 12B) meters.This digital orthoimagery was created to provide easily accessible geospatial data which are readily available to enhance the capability of federal, state, and local emergency responders, as well as to plan for homeland security efforts. These data also support The National Map.These images can serve a variety of purposes, from general planning to field reference for spatial analysis, to a tool for data development and revision of vector maps. The imagery can also serve as a reference layer or basemap for myriad applications inside geographic information system (GIS) software and web-based maps.This image service was created using JPEG 2000 versions of the imagery that MassGIS converted from GeoTiffs and distributes online.For more information see the imagery's MassGIS metadata page.

High resolution land cover dataset for City of Boston, MA. Seven land cover classes were mapped: (1) tree canopy, (2) grass/shrub, (3) bare earth, (4) water, (5) buildings, (6) roads, and (7) other paved surfaces. The primary sources used to derive this land cover layer were 2013 LiDAR data, 2014 Orthoimagery, and 2016 NAIP imagery. Ancillary data sources included GIS data provided by City of Boston, MA or created by the UVM Spatial Analysis Laboratory. Object-based image analysis techniques (OBIA) were employed to extract land cover information using the best available remotely sensed and vector GIS datasets. OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to insure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. Following the automated OBIA mapping a detailed manual review of the dataset was carried out at a scale of 1:2500 and all observable errors were corrected.

High resolution land cover dataset for City of Boston, MA. Seven land cover classes were mapped: (1) tree canopy, (2) grass/shrub, (3) bare earth, (4) water, (5) buildings, (6) roads, and (7) other paved surfaces. The primary sources used to derive this land cover layer were 2013 LiDAR data, 2014 Orthoimagery, and 2016 NAIP imagery. Ancillary data sources included GIS data provided by City of Boston, MA or created by the UVM Spatial Analysis Laboratory. Object-based image analysis techniques (OBIA) were employed to extract land cover information using the best available remotely sensed and vector GIS datasets. OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to insure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. Following the automated OBIA mapping a detailed manual review of the dataset was carried out at a scale of 1:2500 and all observable errors were corrected.

Credits: University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory in collaboration with the City of Boston, Trust for Public Lands, and City of Cambridge.

Japanese Knotweed s.l. taxa are amongst the most aggressive vascular plant Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the world. These taxa form dense, suppressive monocultures and are persistent, pervasive invaders throughout the more economically developed countries (MEDCs) of the world. The current paper utilises the Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) approach of Definiens Imaging Developer software, in combination with very high spatial resolution (VHSR) colour infra-red (CIR) and visible-band (RGB) aerial photography in order to detect Japanese Knotweed s.l. taxa in Wales (UK). An algorithm was created using Definiens in order to detect these taxa, using variables found to effectively distinguish them from landscape and vegetation features. The results of the detection algorithm were accurate, as confirmed by field validation and desk-based studies. Further, these results may be incorporated into Geographical Information Systems (GIS) research as they are readily transferable as vector polygons (shapefiles). The successful detection results developed within the Definiens software should enable greater management and control efficacy. Further to this, the basic principles of the detection process could enable detection of these taxa worldwide, given the (relatively) limited technical requirements necessary to conduct further analyses.

3D Geospatial Technologies Market size was valued at USD 7.27 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 15.89 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2026 to 2032.Rising Demand for Smart City Development: Urban planning initiatives increasingly rely on 3D geospatial technologies to map infrastructure, utilities, and land use. Accurate 3D data helps cities improve planning and resource management. This trend is pushing adoption across both public and private sectors.Growing Use in Defense and Security: Defense agencies are using 3D mapping for mission planning, terrain analysis, and surveillance. These applications enhance situational awareness and decision-making. As geopolitical tensions rise, investment in such technologies continues to grow. Increasing Adoption in Real Estate and Construction: Construction firms and property developers use 3D geospatial tools for site analysis, design visualization, and project monitoring. These technologies help reduce errors and improve efficiency. Their growing integration into planning workflows is fueling market growth.

With the continuous development of remote sensing technology and its application requirements, higher requirements have been put forward for the accuracy and expression of land cover extraction and mapping. The traditional pixel based grid classification results have problems such as jagged edges and inconsistent border connections across image frames, making it difficult to directly express topological relationships such as road intersections and building adjacency. In subsequent applications, additional manual vectorization processing is often required to support GIS analysis, resulting in high process costs and low efficiency. Object level vector modeling expresses land features in vector forms such as "surfaces, lines, and points", which is naturally suitable for GIS and surveying applications. It can be directly used for area and length measurement, network connectivity analysis, and spatiotemporal change updates. To achieve this technological leap, there is an urgent need for high-quality datasets with large-scale, multi scenario, and standardized annotation as support. IRSAMap was born to provide a standardized data foundation for the research and application of vectorization methods.

One important reason for performing GIS analysis is to determine proximity. Often, this type of analysis is done using vector data and possibly the Buffer or Near tools. In this course, you will learn how to calculate distance using raster datasets as inputs in order to assign cells a value based on distance to the nearest source (e.g., city, campground). You will also learn how to allocate cells to a particular source and to determine the compass direction from a cell in a raster to a source.What if you don't want to just measure the straight line from one place to another? What if you need to determine the best route to a destination, taking speed limits, slope, terrain, and road conditions into consideration? In cases like this, you could use the cost distance tools in order to assign a cost (such as time) to each raster cell based on factors like slope and speed limit. From these calculations, you could create a least-cost path from one place to another. Because these tools account for variables that could affect travel, they can help you determine that the shortest path may not always be the best path.After completing this course, you will be able to:Create straight-line distance, direction, and allocation surfaces.Determine when to use Euclidean and weighted distance tools.Perform a least-cost path analysis.

MassGIS scanned the USGS topographic quadrangles to create a digital database that can provide images of the paper maps. These images can be used as a backdrop for plotting vector data and for interpretation and analysis. MassGIS scanned the 15-minute series (vintage 1982-1990) where these maps were available; the 7.5-minute maps (1967-1979) were used elsewhere. Note that the elevation labels for the contours on the maps may be in meters or feet, depending on the vintage of the original paper map that MassGIS scanned. Contour labels on maps from 1982 and later are in meters; labels on maps from 1967 through 1979 are in feet. See the

Rocky desertification, a pressing environmental concern in Southwest China, significantly impacts local living conditions and regional sustainability. Employing remote sensing on a macro scale, this study focuses on identifying and analyzing the spatial distribution and driving factors of rocky desertification. Conducted in Southwest China, using Landsat data from Google Earth Engine for 2020, the research quantitatively extracts information on rocky desertification patches through traditional methods. Excluding unlikely areas using land use data, spatial distribution features and driving factors are examined via GIS spatial analysis and a geodetector model. The main conclusions are as follows. Rocky desertification covers 217,530.4 km2 (accounting for 15.6% of Southwest China), with areas of slight, moderate, and severe rocky desertification at 81.3%, 7.1%, and 11.6%, respectively. Spatially, rocky desertification primarily occurs in areas where lithology is carbonate rock between clas..., The rocky desertification data were obtained from Landsat 8 operational land imager (OLI) image data provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ("https://www.usgs.gov"), de-clouded based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE), and atmospherically corrected using ENVI5.3 Fast line-of-sight atmospheric analysis of spectral hypercubes (FLAASH) atmospheric correction tool with a spatial resolution of 30 m [37,38]. The land use type data with a spatial resolution of 1000 m were downloaded from the Resource and Environmental Science and Data Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences ("https://www.resdc.cn"). The land use types in these data mainly include watersheds, rivers, and urban industrial construction land, cultivated land, woodland, grassland, and unutilized land. The overall accuracy of this dataset reached 95.41%, which met the needs of this study. The digital elevation model (DEM) data for the study area were obtained from the Geospatial Data Cloud Platform of the Computer Network Inf..., , Data Description:

[Access this dataset on Dryad](DOI: 10.5061/dryad.ns1rn8q0p)

Description of the data and file structure

This dataset encompasses various influencing factors related to land degradation in Southwest China, alongside a collection of remote sensing data used for extracting the extent of land degradation.

Influencing Factor Data

1. Elevation_Southwest:

• Data Type: Raster Data
• Resolution: 30 meters
• Unit: Meters
• Description: Elevation data and Slope data for the Southwest China.

1. Lithology_SouthwestChina:

• Data Type: Vector Data (Shapefile)
• Description: This is about the rock type data of the southwestern region of China, including five provinces: Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Chongqing. It includes the distribution of carbonate rocks, limestone, dolomite, and other types.

1. People_density_SouthwestChina:

• Data Type: Raster Data
• Resolution: 1 km
• Unit: People/km²
• Description: Population density data for Southwest China. ...

Polygon layer representing United States counties with name attributes.About Natural EarthNatural Earth is a convenient resource for creating custom maps. Unlike other map data intended for analysis or detailed government mapping, it is designed to meet the needs of cartographers and designers to make generalized maps. Maximum flexibility is a goal.Natural Earth is a public domain collection of map datasets available at 1:10 million (larger scale/more detailed), 1:50 million (medium scale/moderate detail), and 1:110 million (small scale/coarse detail) scales. It features tightly integrated vector and raster data to create a variety of visually pleasing, well-crafted maps with cartography or GIS software. Natural Earth data is made possible by many volunteers and supported by the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS).Convenience – Natural Earth solves a problem: finding suitable data for making small-scale maps. In a time when the web is awash in geospatial data, cartographers are forced to waste time sifting through confusing tangles of poorly attributed data to make clean, legible maps. Because your time is valuable, Natural Earth data comes ready to use.Neatness Counts–The carefully generalized linework maintains consistent, recognizable geographic shapes at 1:10m, 1:50m, and 1:110m scales. Natural Earth was built from the ground up, so you will find that all data layers align precisely with one another. For example, where rivers and country borders are one and the same, the lines are coincident.GIS Attributes – Natural Earth, however, is more than just a collection of pretty lines. The data attributes are equally important for mapmaking. Most data contain embedded feature names, which are ranked by relative importance. Other attributes facilitate faster map production, such as width attributes assigned to river segments for creating tapers. Intelligent dataThe attributes assigned to Natural Earth vectors make for efficient mapmaking. Most lines and areas contain embedded feature names, which are ranked by relative importance. Up to eight rankings per data theme allow easy custom map “mashups” to emphasize your subject while de-emphasizing reference features. Other attributes focus on map design. For example, width attributes assigned to rivers allow you to create tapered drainages. Assigning different colors to contiguous country polygons is another task made easier thanks to data attribution.Other key featuresVector features include name attributes and bounding box extents. Know that the Rocky Mountains are larger than the Ozarks.Large polygons are split for more efficient data handling—such as bathymetric layers.Projection-friendly vectors precisely match at 180 degrees longitude. Lines contain enough data points for smooth bending in conic projections, but not so many that computer processing speed suffers.Raster data includes grayscale-shaded relief and cross-blended hypsometric tints derived from the latest NASA SRTM Plus elevation data and tailored to register with Natural Earth Vector.Optimized for use in web mapping applications, with built-in scale attributes to assist features to be shown at different zoom levels.

(Link to Metadata) High resolution land cover dataset for Vermont. Eight land cover classes were mapped: (1) tree canopy, (2) grass/shrub, (3) bare earth, (4) water, (5) buildings, (6) roads, (7) other paved surfaces, and (8) railroads. The primary sources used to derive this land cover layer were 2013-2017 LiDAR data and 2016 NAIP imagery. Ancillary data sources included GIS data provided by the State of Vermont or created by the UVM Spatial Analysis Laboratory. Object-based image analysis techniques (OBIA) were employed to extract land cover information using the best available remotely sensed and vector GIS datasets. OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to ensure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. Following the automated OBIA mapping a detailed manual review of the dataset was carried out at a scale of 1:3000 and all observable errors were corrected.

Spring 2023 "true color" aerial imagery for Massachusetts, published as a tile layer at ArcGIS Online by MassGIS.This layer is based on 8-bit, 15 cm resolution JPEG 2000 versions of GeoTiff imagery, using the Red-Green-Blue bands.Funding for this imagery was provided by MassDOT, the State 911 Department, and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS).This digital orthoimagery was created to provide easily accessible geospatial data which are readily available to enhance the capability of federal, state, and local emergency responders, as well as to plan for homeland security efforts. These data also support The National Map.These images can serve a variety of purposes, from general planning to field reference for spatial analysis, to a tool for data development and revision of vector maps. The imagery can also serve as a reference layer or basemap for myriad applications inside geographic information system (GIS) software and web-based maps.More details...

The National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDplus) maps the lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and other surface waters of the United States. Created by the US EPA Office of Water and the US Geological Survey, the NHDPlus provides mean annual and monthly flow estimates for rivers and streams. Additional attributes provide connections between features facilitating complicated analyses. For more information on the NHDPlus dataset see the NHDPlus v2 User Guide.Dataset SummaryPhenomenon Mapped: Surface waters and related features of the United States and associated territories not including Alaska.Geographic Extent: The United States not including Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, Marshall Islands, Northern Marianas Islands, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and American SamoaProjection: Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere Visible Scale: Visible at all scales but layer draws best at scales larger than 1:1,000,000Source: EPA and USGSUpdate Frequency: There is new new data since this 2019 version, so no updates planned in the futurePublication Date: March 13, 2019Prior to publication, the NHDPlus network and non-network flowline feature classes were combined into a single flowline layer. Similarly, the NHDPlus Area and Waterbody feature classes were merged under a single schema.Attribute fields were added to the flowline and waterbody layers to simplify symbology and enhance the layer's pop-ups. Fields added include Pop-up Title, Pop-up Subtitle, On or Off Network (flowlines only), Esri Symbology (waterbodies only), and Feature Code Description. All other attributes are from the original NHDPlus dataset. No data values -9999 and -9998 were converted to Null values for many of the flowline fields.What can you do with this layer?Feature layers work throughout the ArcGIS system. Generally your work flow with feature layers will begin in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Pro. Below are just a few of the things you can do with a feature service in Online and Pro.ArcGIS OnlineAdd this layer to a map in the map viewer. The layer is limited to scales of approximately 1:1,000,000 or larger but a vector tile layer created from the same data can be used at smaller scales to produce a webmap that displays across the full range of scales. The layer or a map containing it can be used in an application. Change the layer’s transparency and set its visibility rangeOpen the layer’s attribute table and make selections. Selections made in the map or table are reflected in the other. Center on selection allows you to zoom to features selected in the map or table and show selected records allows you to view the selected records in the table.Apply filters. For example you can set a filter to show larger streams and rivers using the mean annual flow attribute or the stream order attribute. Change the layer’s style and symbologyAdd labels and set their propertiesCustomize the pop-upUse as an input to the ArcGIS Online analysis tools. This layer works well as a reference layer with the trace downstream and watershed tools. The buffer tool can be used to draw protective boundaries around streams and the extract data tool can be used to create copies of portions of the data.ArcGIS ProAdd this layer to a 2d or 3d map. Use as an input to geoprocessing. For example, copy features allows you to select then export portions of the data to a new feature class. Change the symbology and the attribute field used to symbolize the dataOpen table and make interactive selections with the mapModify the pop-upsApply Definition Queries to create sub-sets of the layerThis layer is part of the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World that provides an easy way to explore the landscape layers and many other beautiful and authoritative maps on hundreds of topics.Questions?Please leave a comment below if you have a question about this layer, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.