Data

An abundant amount of GIS data (in the form of shapefiles and/or .e00 files) is available via the web for free. Below are some useful websites where one can download GIS data. Please note that all links will open in the same external window.

GeoCommons: Enables everyone to find, use and share geographic data and maps. Data ranges from local to international.

MINNESOTA & THE TWIN CITIES

MnGEO’s Clearinghouse for GIS Data
MetroGIS DataFinder (local Twin Cities data)
Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT)
Minnesota Legislative Geographic Information Services

NATIONAL DATASETS

GIS Data Depot (must create username/password to download)
National Atlas
TIGER/Line Files – 2000 (can be used for geocoding)
TIGER/Line Files – 2009
US Census Cartographic Boundary Files (US Census 1990 and 2000)
USGS National Map Viewer
Redistricting Data Hub

INTERNATIONAL DATASETS

GIS Data Depot (must create username/password to download)
USGS Global GIS Databases
Global Mapper website

FINDING LATITUDE/LONGITUDE

Find latitude/longitude with Google Maps (find with addesses or on the map itself)
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) (US and foreign locations)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) GEOnet Names Server (GNS) (foreign locations)
Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names Online

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