Most Requested Geospatial Data

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This site provides links to the most commonly requested geospatial datasets from some of the classes I teach. I also use some of this data myself, so in certain cases, I’ve included short videos to help guide you through data management or integrating the data into GIS.

Let’s start with this fantastic collection of resources from the Data Lab at Tufts University:

Administrative Units and Boundary Data

Administrative data includes boundaries that define geographic areas such as countries, states, provinces, counties, or municipalities. These are often organized by administrative levels—for example, Level 0 for national borders, Level 1 for states or provinces, and Level 2 for counties or districts. This type of data is essential for mapping, spatial analysis, and understanding how regions are divided and governed. Some useful sites are listed below:

Digital Elevation Models

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a raster representation of the Earth’s surface that shows elevation values. Each cell in the raster contains a height value, making it useful for analyzing terrain features such as slopes, watersheds, and visibility. DEMs are commonly used in GIS for hydrological modeling, landform analysis, and 3D visualization. Please find below some sites where you can find that type of data:

Population Density

Population density as a raster in GIS represents the number of people per unit area, typically per square kilometer, with each cell containing a population value. The WorldPop project provides high-resolution, gridded population data for countries around the world, useful for research, planning, and humanitarian work. You can explore and download data from their site:

Land Use Land Cover Data

Land use and land cover (LULC) data show how land is being used (like agriculture, urban areas) and what covers the surface (like forests, water, or bare soil). This information is often provided as raster or vector data and is essential for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and resource management. Below you will find some useful links:

Soil and Geologic Data

Soil and geologic data in GIS provide information about the composition, type, and structure of the Earth’s surface and subsurface. These datasets help in understanding land suitability, natural hazards, resource management, and environmental conditions.

Climate and Energy Related Data

Climate and energy-related data in GIS include variables such as temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, wind speed, and energy potential. These datasets are essential for studying climate patterns, assessing renewable energy resources, and supporting planning in areas like sustainability, infrastructure, and environmental management. Below you will find some links to key sources:

Marine Regions and Data

Marine regions and data in GIS include boundaries such as exclusive economic zones (EEZs), territorial waters, and marine protected areas. These datasets also cover human activities like shipping routes, submarine cables, fishing zones, and offshore energy development. They are essential for marine spatial planning, conservation, and managing ocean resources. Below you will find some useful resources:

Protected Areas and Biodiversity

“Protected areas and biodiversity data in GIS provide critical information on nature reserves, national parks, species habitats, and conservation zones. These datasets support environmental management, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable development planning. They are essential for identifying ecological hotspots and guiding protection efforts. Below you’ll find some resources to explore.

Moon Elevation Model

Interested in space diplomacy? No problem! Spatial data isn’t just for Earth—there are detailed geospatial datasets available for the Moon and Mars too. These include elevation models, surface composition, craters, landing sites, and planned mission zones. Such data is used for planetary research, mission planning, and even imagining future settlements. Below you’ll find some resources to start exploring beyond our planet.

Related posts:

  1. Spatial Octopus
  2. Data Cleaning and Exploratory Process
  3. What are interpolations, and what do we use them for in GIS?

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