Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries
Description
This data layer contains the international, inter-provincial and territorial boundaries, as well as the boundaries of Canada's exclusive economic zone. It is not intended for legal use, and should be utilized for cartographic purposes only.
The dataset is comprised of three files: an administrative boundary file, an administrative areas file and a metadata file.
The administrative boundary file is made of non-overlapping, topologically correct (connected segments) simple features. A line that bounds two adjacent administrative areas defines an administrative boundary. An administrative boundary may be split into several smaller segments, due to changes in attribute information.
The administrative areas file is made of adjacent (contiguous) polygons. The polygon boundaries are aligned with the corresponding features in the administrative boundary file.
Each boundary segment has metadata that provides associated accuracy values. Depending on the type of boundary, the accuracy of a segment will vary as follows:
- Exclusive economic zone of Canada: 1:1,000,000
- Inter-provincial/territorial boundary: 1:100,000
- International boundary: 1:5,000
The authoritative data source providers for this data layer are:
- Statistics Canada
- Elections Canada
- International Boundary Commission
- Canadian Hydrographic Services (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
- Province of Ontario
- Canada Centre for Cadastral Management (Natural Resources Canada)
The Canada Centre for Cadastral Management of Natural Resources Canada performed the data integration of the Administrative Boundaries.
Documentation
For more details on standards and specifications, see Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries, Product Specifications [pdf 252 KB] and Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries, Feature Catalogue [pdf 100 KB].
Metadata
For a complete description of collection metadata, see the Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries, Collection Metadata.
Use and Restrictions
All distributed Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries datasets should be accessed and used relatively to the GeoBase Unrestricted Use Licence Agreement.
Data Format
Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries datafiles are available in both GML (Geography Markup Language) and ESRI Shape files.
Free Data Viewer
As a service to GeoBase users we are providing links to some free viewers. However, GeoBase does not endorse and does not provide any kind of support for any of these viewers.
- ArcExplorer distributed by ESRI: http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/explorer.html
- Geomatica 9 FreeView provided by PCI Geomatics: http://www.pcigeomatics.com/products/freeview.html
- Map Maker Gratis provided by Map Maker: http://www.mapmaker.com/