LibGuides: MSU Libraries GIS Services and Guides: GIS Data

General Databases

There are many openly available data sources for GIS data on the web. This section of the GIS guide contains a variety of databases for finding GIS data. It is not exhaustive.

Below are some general databases for finding GIS data. In general, when searching for data on Google you may want to search for what kind of data you are looking for, raster or vector (shapefile) data to help your search.

GIS Databases

BTAA Geoportal
This database is designed for discovery of free GIS data on a wide variety of topics. As it is a collaborative project of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, there is an emphasis on data from the Midwest United States.
ArcGIS Data and Maps
This is a database of open GIS datasets provided by ESRI on a variety of topics, mostly at a global scale.
Google Dataset Search
This is a google search specifically for data.
Harvard Dataverse
The Harvard Dataverse repository provides a searchable database of researcher uploaded content. It is not exclusively GIS data, but does have GIS datasets. Be warned that this is an open forum and not all data is reviewed or credible.
ArcGIS Online
User forum map making and for sharing maps and data. You will need to login with an MSU NetID to make an account (please see the Accessing ESRI ArcGIS Software page for instructions). Be warned that this is an open forum and not all data is reviewed or credible.
Amerigeos Datahub
A global data hub related to the GEOSS, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems initiatives.

GIS Librarian

Amanda Tickner

Contact:

atickner@msu.edu

(517) 884-9432

Subjects: Anthropology, Classics, Landscape Architecture, Planning & Design, Urban Planning

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General Databases

GIS Databases

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