DataData is a critical component in any GIS, and can come from any number of sources - existing databases, colleagues, CAD files, the Internet, commercial data providers, government organizations, and so on. The data you choose and where you get it depends on your needs and budget.Accessing the right data is the key to answering geographic questions posed in the classroom, and to getting the most value out of a GIS. The type of data required depends on what you are trying to achieve and the questions you are hoping to answer. Here are a few things to consider before deciding what data to choose to help you answer your question using GIS:
Once you have narrowed down your data criteria, you can look for the data that is needed. In the past 10 years, the amount of data available has increased dramatically, much of it free, with the advent of the Internet and proliferation of commercial sources of data. Internet mapping and Web services technology has made it possible for anyone anywhere to share or access data from around the globe. ESRI Canada offers a variety of data resources to support classroom needs. ESRI Canada's data products include: |
