Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS Data
this guide is intended to provide University of Iowa students and faculty with links to geographic data sources as well as help for the most commonly used mapping tools on campus
International GIS Data
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Antarctic Digital DataProvides medium scale topographic data for the continent of Antarctica
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Big Ten Academic Alliance GeoportalComprehensive collection of map and GIS data from Big Ten Academic Alliance Universities
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Free GIS DataA list of over 300 free data sources from around the world
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GeoBase (Canada)Open data from the Government of Canada
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Google EarthOffers users the ability to search with 3D imagery, including 3D buildings, trees, and oceans
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Humanitarian Data ExchangeHumanitarian datasets (over 18,000) provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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International Humanitarian DataA Google Spreadsheet listing free geographic datasets useful for international humanitarian response
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USGS EarthExplorerProvides detailed data and satellite images of anywhere in world
Parcel Data
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Parcel Data - Iowa CountiesA a running list of sources of geospatial parcel data for Iowa counties.
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Parcel Data - Iowa StatewideA statewide dataset of parcels for Iowa provided by Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management.
National Data Sources
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Fact FinderDemographic data from the US Census and American Community Survey, offered as tables (and some shapefiles with added data) ready for import into GIS software
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Geospatial Data GatewayOffers environmental and natural resources data and free use of maps
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Mapping InequalityProvides georeferenced HOLC maps of US cities along with corresponding shapefiles and GeoJSON files pertaining to redlining in the US
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National AtlasPhysical geographic information is stored in the National Atlas, such as land cover, hydrography, orthoimagery and elevation data.
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National Geophysical Data CenterResources on bathymetry and topography
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Spatial Humanities: Step by StepTutorials and guides to getting things done in teaching and research with spatial tools and resources.
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US Census TIGER ProductsThe US Census stores its spatial data in a "Master Address File and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing system" (MAF/TIGER). Researchers may download limited extracts from this database as shapefiles to use in GIS software or GIS applications. This is a very easy way to obtain (vector) shapes, which can be joined with regular data tables (such as those from Fact Finder) to generate maps that include quantitative information.
Updating List of Federal, State, County, and City GIS Servers
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List of Federal, State, County, and City GIS ServersCompiled and revised by Joseph Elfelt to promote public access to government data
Iowa Data Sources
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Iowa's Department of TransportationProvides resources on GIS and Spatial Technologies.
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Iowa Aerial Photos databaseContains historical and contemporary photos. Map Collection owns over 150,000 Iowa aerial photos.
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Iowa Data CenterA source for population, housing, business and government statistics about Iowa
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Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency ManagementArcGIS REST Server for the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
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Iowa DNR GIS ServerGeospatial data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
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The Iowa Geographic Information CouncilRegularly meets to discuss Iowa's geospatial infrastructure and provide an overview of the state's activities.
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Iowa Geographic Map ServerProvided by Iowa State University to furnish free access to Iowa geographic map data through online map viewers and web map services
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Iowa GIS DataGIS Data Repository - a home for Iowa Counties GIS data (log in required)
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Iowa LiDAR Mapping ProjectA free service provided by the GeoTREE Center at the University of Northern Iowa
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The Iowa Natural Resources GIS LibraryStores information gathered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The site offers all of Iowa's data on natural resources and geographic information.
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Iowa State Legislature GIS ServerProvides political districts for the State of Iowa in addition to a few other items of interest
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Iowa State University GIS ServerThe ArcGIS REST Server for Iowa State University
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Johnson County GIS DataProvides information on Iowa City, Coralville, and other surrounding communities
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Johnson County Property Information ViewerBeacon and Johnson County Property Information Viewer provide information on landuse designation, ownership, and values of land parcels
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Linn County GIS DataIncludes Cedar Rapids
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Open Data of the WorldA geoportal allowing for filtering of worldwide open data portals through a web map
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State of Iowa Open Geospatial DataPublic geospatial data, tools, and resources from the State of Iowa
Iowa County GIS Servers
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VariousCounty-level GIS data services. Many are unofficial and not maintained by county government services. Parcel data sources are also included.