Frequently Asked Questions
Products
- What rights come with an Open Government licence agreement for unrestricted use of digital data?
- What is the difference among vector, raster and tabular data?
- What is the National Topographic System (NTS)?
- What is the coverage of a digital data set at the scale of 1:50 000 and 1:250 000?
- What is the necessary disk space to store the most popular products?
- What are the main characteristics for CanMatrix-Print_Ready, CanMatrix-Georeferenced, Toporama and CanTopo products?
- What are the GeoPDF format advantages for CanTopo products?
- How can I perform format translation of the downloaded data?
- How can I perform coordinate or geodetic reference system transformation of the downloaded data?
- How can I open a raster or vector data file if I don't have a GIS software?
- How to convert the format of data to display the data in my GPS?
- The data are currently expressed in the NAD83CSRS reference system; does this mean that the NAD83 data were converted to NAD83CSRS?
- How can I find the magnetic declination for a specific location?
- How to relate a symbol library for some vector products with the ArcMap GIS software version 10 and higher?
- Where can I find the symbology (legend) for CanTopo and CanMatrix topographic maps and for Toporama raster files?
- Is it possible to access files using a FTP client (for example Filezilla, BulletProof FTP, etc.)?
- What is the GeoBase initiative?
- Where can I find the HTML Index to view and download several GeoGratis collections?
Miscellaneous
- Where can I buy paper topographical maps of Canada?
- Where can I purchase aerial photography?
- Where can I find Cadastral data?
- Where can I find Nautical Maps?
Products
1. What rights come with an Open Government licence agreement for unrestricted use of digital data?
Use of the data is subject to the Open Government Licence – Canada.
2. What is the difference among vector, raster and tabular data?
Maps, tabular data, summary statistics, and remotely sensed imagery are examples of geographic information that can be input to a GIS.
Raster charts are digitized by "scanning" the paper chart, using technology common in desktop publishing. Each tiny segment of each line on a chart is converted to a "raster" picture element or "pixel". These pixels are similar to a television picture. Beyond geo-referencing, there is no intelligence inherent in the image. For example, you may interpret a string of pixels to be the number "2" but the computer cannot do this.
CanMatrix product is an example of raster data.
Vector charts are "smart charts" that carry geo-spatial intelligence within the data and have a database of information associated with them. For instance, on a vector chart you can click on different features, such as a road or a waterbody, and retrieve additional information on them. Vector charts also allow users more control over the display of the chart, such as the ability to turn different layers of information on and off.
CanVec product is an example of vector data.
Tabular data is data shown under tab form.
North American Conservation Areas database (NCAD) product available on GeoGratis website is an example of tabular data.
3. What is the National Topographic System (NTS)?
The National Topographic System (NTS) is a system of divisions used primarily for topographic maps of the Canadian landmass. Maps at the 1:250 000 scale are identified by a combination of numbers and letters from A to P (e.g. 13C).
A map at the 1:50 000 scale corresponds to 1/16 of a map at the 1:250 000 scale, with each unit numbered from 01 to 16. Adding the unit number to the 1:250 000 number produces a unique identifier (e.g. 13C09).
4. What is the coverage of a digital data set at the scale of 1:50 000 and 1:250 000?
A digital data set at the 1:50 000 scale covers about 1,100 km², or approximately 40 km (30 arc-minutes) by 28 km (15 arc-minutes). A digital data set at the 1:250 000 scale covers about 18,000 km², or approximately 160 km (2 degrees of arc) by 110 km (1 degrees of arc). A digital data set at the 1:250 000 scale covers the same area as 16 digital data sets at the 1:50 000 scale.
5. What is the necessary disk space to store the most popular products?
| Product | Format | Nbrs files out of the complete coverage | Disk space compressed | Disk space non compressed | 021E05/021E disk space non compressed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NTDB |
Shapefile |
11,525 out of 11,525 |
3 GB |
17 GB |
8 MB |
|
NTDB |
Shapefile |
981 out of 981 |
3 GB |
17 GB |
8 MB |
|
CanMatrix -Georeferenced 1:50 000 |
GeoTiff |
12,126 out of 12,126 |
234 GB |
700 GB |
30 MB |
|
CanMatrix -Georeferenced 1:250 000 |
GeoTiff |
913 out of 913 |
12 GB |
35 GB |
66 MB |
|
CanMatrix - Print Ready |
Tiff |
12,119 out of 12,119 |
251 GB |
275 GB |
329 MB |
|
CanMatrix - Print Ready |
Tiff |
913 out of 913 |
9 GB |
10 GB |
22 MB |
| CanVec - Canada | Shape | 13 out of 13 | 94.5 GB | 348 GB | - |
| CanVec - Canada | GDB | 13 out of 13 | 51.3 GB | 74 GB | - |
|
CanImage |
GeoTiff |
13,457 out of 13,457 |
78 GB |
180 GB |
15 MB |
|
Toporama |
GeoTiff |
15,308 out of 15,308 |
69 GB |
320 GB |
48 MB |
6. What are the main characteristics for CanMatrix-Print_Ready, CanMatrix-Georeferenced, Toporama and CanTopo products?
| Characteristics | CanMatrix-Print_Ready | CanMatrix-Georeferenced | Toporama | CanTopo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Source | Digital paper maps from NRCan | Digital paper maps from NRCan | NRCan Vector Data | NRCan Vector Data |
| Output Type | Polychrome, monochrome and photomap | Polychrome, monochrome and photomap | Polychrome | Polychrome |
| Symbology | Varies with the map style and publication date | Varies with the map style and publication date | Uniform through out Canada | Uniform through out Canada |
| Scale | 1:50 000 and 1:250 000 | 1:50 000 and 1:250 000 | 1:50 000 | 1:50 000 |
| Projection | UTM | UTM | UTM and Geographic Coordinates (Lat/Long) | UTM |
| Map Surround | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Georeference | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Datum | NAD27 or NAD83 | NAD83 | NAD83 | NAD83 |
| Format | TIFF and PDF | GeoTIFF | GeoTIFF non compressed | PDP, GeoPDF, TIFF, GeoTIFF |
| Resolution | 300 dpi, polychrome (8 bits), monochrome (16 bits), for TIFF format only | 300 dpi (8 bits, 256 grayscale levels) | 72 dpi (RGB 24 bits) | 300 dpi, polychrome (8 bits), for TIFF and GeoTIFF formats only |
| Use | Paper map prints | Reference Data | Reference Data | Paper map prints |
| % Coverage | Limited at 90% of Canadian landmass at the 1:50 000 scale (12,126/12,126 files) | Limited at 90% of Canadian landmass at the 1:50 000 scale (12,126/12,126 files) | 100% of the coverage of Canada (15,308/15,308 files) | Limited at 22% of Canadian landmass at the 1:50 000 scale (2,234 files) |
| Validity | From 1944 to 2005 (Average of 1980) | From 1944 to 2005 (Average of 1980) | From 1944 to 2012 (Average of 1998) | From 1946 to 2012 (Average of 2007) |
| Accuracy | From 7 metres to Unknown | From 7 metres to Unknown | 30 metres or better | 30 metres or better |
| Updates | No | No | No | No |
7. What are the GeoPDF format advantages for CanTopo products?
We chose to also provide CanTopo in GeoPDF format because, as a georeferenced product, it provides simple and useful functionalities for non-GIS users. For example, a free toolbar available from TerraGo Technologies will enable a user to:
- Measure distance and area
- View different coordinates
- Zoom to a coordinate
- Add 'GeoStamps', polygons, lines and comments
- 'Google Maps' a specific coordinate
- Connect to a GPS device
- Turn on/off layers in the file.
Additionally, the GeoPDF format is endorsed as a best practice by the Open Geospatial Consortium and can be used in many GIS environments by advanced users.
8. How can I perform format translation of the downloaded data?
The GDAL/OGR Simple Feature Library can be used to perform format translation. This library is a C++ open source library providing read and write access to a variety of vector file formats including Geography Markup Language (GML), ESRI Shape, Oracle and MapInfo MID/MIF or TAB. For more details, see the GDAL website.
9. How can I perform coordinate or geodetic reference system transformation of the downloaded data?
The GDAL/OGR Simple Feature Library can be used to perform coordinate transformation. For more information, please see the GDAL website.
To transform geographic coordinates to a wide variety of coordinate systems, map projections, and datum, please see the MSP GEOTRANS website.
If you want Coordinate Converter for UTM, Lat/Long and ATS, free for Alberta and Northern BC, please see the MapTown website.
If you want Geographic coordinate transformation: geographic coordinates and rectangular coordinates MTU, SCOPQ (MTM) and Lambert (Quebec only/French only), please see the Logiciel SYREQ section on the Ministère de l’Énergie et Ressources naturelles du Québec website.
If you want Geographic coordinate datum transformation or Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate datum transformation, please see the Geodetic tools and data section of the Geodetic Reference Systems on the Natural Resources Canada website.
10. How can I open a raster or vector data file if I don't have a GIS software?
Here are a few links to freeware which can be used to edit or display downloaded data. However, take note that GeoGratis does not endorse nor support any of these software.
Free editing and viewing software
- QGIS (editing capacity)
- gvSIG (editing capacity)
- MapWindow (editing capacity)
- ArcReader
- CARIS Easy View
- Global Mapper
- Google Earth
- Map Maker (editing capacity, free trial)
- PCI Geomatica (free trial)
- FME (free trial)
Software to process and manipulate Elevation Data (CDED, CDEM, and CDSM)
Software to process and manipulate National Hydro Network (NHN) Data
- FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) - Feature Manipulation Software for viewing, translating, transforming, integrating and distributing spatial data
- Open JUMP - GIS software suite for viewing and manipulating spatial data
- RivEX - GIS River network tool
- River2D - GIS software suite for hydrodynamic
- TauDEM - Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Model (TauDEM)
Data in GeoTIFF or GeoPDF format can easily be viewed by any image software that recognizes the TIFF or PDF file format. GIS software supports georeferenced GeoTIFF or GeoPDF and maintains the image georeferencing automatically. More information about the GeoTIFF format can be found at OSGeo.
You will find a list of free viewers at FreeGIS.
Here is a list of open source GIS software identified by the OSGeo Fondation.
11. How to convert the format of data to display the data in my GPS?
GPS resources available:
Data
12. The data are currently expressed in the NAD83CSRS reference system; does this mean that the NAD83 data were converted to NAD83CSRS?
No.
Prior to the launching of the CanVec product in April 2007, certain data that made up the product were expressed in NAD83CSRS, while the majority was in NAD83. The intention was to provide all the data in one and the same reference system. It is for this reason that it was decided to express the data in the NAD83CSRS reference system.
This decision gave the impression that the daunting task of converting data from NAD83 to NAD83CSRS would be undertaken.
However, one must acknowledge that the average difference in Canada between the NAD83 reference systems and NAD83CSRS is 0.3 metre with a maximum observed deviation of 1.7 metre. Since the majority of data expressed in NAD83 have an accuracy of 10 metres or more, the effect of a general conversion would do nothing to improve the accuracy of the new converted data. Furthermore, there is no conversion of the grid across the entire Canadian landscape. Such a grid is necessary to convert data from one system to another.
In view of these facts, it was decided that the data collected in NAD83 would be expressed in NAD83CSRS without performing any conversion of data from NAD83 to NAD83CSRS.
It must be noted that this decision does not in any way compromise the topological relationships of data and that the majority of new data will be collected according to the NAD83CSRS reference system.
13. How can I find the magnetic declination for a specific location?
You can look up the magnetic declination for a specific location by using the Magnetic declination calculator on the website of Natural Resources Canada's National Geomagnetism Program.
14. How to relate a symbol library for some vector products with the ArcMap GIS software version 10 and higher?
CanVec:
Download CanVec_en_Symbol.zip (FTP) to use the symbology, which includes the instructions, the font, the CanVec.mxd file, and the CanVec.style style sheet.
Archive
CanVec+ (2015), CanVec (2013), and NTDB (National Topographic Data Base):
Here are instructions to use the symbology. In addition, you can download an add-in. This add-in is an extension for ArcMap GIS software and this can display the symbology of the canvecEnglish.style and ntdb.style style sheets.
GeoGratis does not endorse nor provide any kind of support for this product and considers that you have the basic knowledge to understand the information contained in the instructions.
15. Where can I find the symbology (legend) for CanTopo and CanMatrix topographic maps and for Toporama raster files?
You can download a PDF version of the legend for these products:
You can also download the CanTopo Map Standards and Specifications 1:50 000.
16. Is it possible to access files using a FTP client (for example Filezilla, BulletProof FTP, etc.)?
This method is more robust and is worth using when you download a large amount of files.
You need the FTP address where the product to connect to a FTP client is, for example:
CanVec: http://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/vector/canvec
Toporama: http://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/raster/toporama/
CDEM (Canadian Digital Elevation Model): http://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/elevation/cdem_mnec/
Other FTP directories for GeoGratis products can be accessed from the Download Directory and Documentation web page.
17. What is the GeoBase initiative?
GeoBase is a federal, provincial and territorial government initiative that is overseen by the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG). It is undertaken to ensure the provision of, and access to, a common, up-to-date and maintained base of quality geospatial data for all of Canada.
Through the GeoBase initiative, users with an interest in the field of geomatics can access quality geospatial information at no cost and with unrestricted use.
18. Where can I find the HTML Index to view and download several GeoGratis collections?
Use the HTML geospatial product index to visualize an inventory of our most popular collections and to download the files. Click on the desired data type under ‘Themes’, then choose a collection in the ‘Collections’ section. Zoom and click on the desired region to select the files.
You will also find a KMZ index to view in Google Earth.
Miscellaneous
1. Where can I buy paper topographical maps of Canada?
Here are the different options for obtaining a paper topographic map.
2. Where can I purchase aerial photography?
The National Air Photo Library archives millions of aerial photographs covering all of Canada, some of which date back to the 1920s. To contact one of their officers, call 1-800-465-6277.
You can also contact provincial governments to obtain aerial photographs, here:
- Alberta: Ministry of Environment and Parks.
- British Columbia: Geographic Data & Services.
- Manitoba: Canada Map Sales.
- New Brunswick: New Brunswick government.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland Labrador Environment and Conservation.
- Nova Scotia: Open Data Portal.
- Ontario: Ontario government.
- Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island Canada.
- Quebec: La Géomathèque, Quebec government aerial photography dealer.
- Saskatchewan: Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan.
There are also other distributor organizations of aerial photography which you can find on the Internet.
3. Where can I find Cadastral data?
Canada Lands Cadastral Data are managed and distributed by Natural Resources Canada.
4. Where can I find Nautical Maps?
Obtain a Paper Nautical Map from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Download a Digital Nautical Map from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Note: The Canadian Hydrographic Service of MPO is restricted to charting only some of the largest of Canada's inland waterways, as well as our coastal waters.
For small bodies of water, search ‘buy nautical map [province or territory]’ in your web browser.
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