{"id":1482,"date":"2014-08-07T11:45:21","date_gmt":"2014-08-07T16:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/?p=1482"},"modified":"2025-06-01T07:01:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T12:01:51","slug":"best-free-gis-data-sources-raster-vector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/best-free-gis-data-sources-raster-vector\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Free GIS Data Sources: Best Global Raster and Vector Datasets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Free<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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10 Free GIS Data Sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We live in the information age. We get blasted by truckloads of information each day. In terms of free GIS data sources<\/strong>, it seems never-ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So that’s why we’ve put together this list to turbo-charge your search for reputable and free GIS data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words: these 10 free GIS data sets are the best of the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can ensure that all are from authoritative sources<\/strong>. Let’s get started.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1. Natural Earth Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Natural<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Natural Earth Data<\/a> is number 1 on the list because it best suits the needs of cartographers. By and large, all the key cultural and physical vector GIS datasets are on a global scale convenient for you to use. The raster datasets also provide beautiful hillshade relief for your map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best part is Natural Earth Data is in the public domain<\/strong>. So this means that you have the right to use, modify, and disseminate the data in any manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are more details for Natural Earth data<\/a>. From a cartography standpoint, it’s a no-brainer. Download Natural Earth Data now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages<\/th>Data Types<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\u2022 Download global free GIS data in the public domain.
\u2022 Supported by the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS).<\/td>		\u2022 Cultural, physical, and raster (basemap) data.
\u2022 Quick start kit (MXD and QGS files) with all the essential stylized layers.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2. USGS Earth Explorer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"USGS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For satellite and aerial imagery, the USGS Earth Explorer<\/a> is one of the largest free sources of data. The best part? You can download data outside of the United States<\/strong> too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A friendly user interface makes accessing remote sensing data simple. In fact, it even has a bulk download application if you need to download more than one data set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Registration is free. If you\u2019re looking for other satellite data providers, check our list of 15 free satellite imagery sources<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages<\/th>Data Types<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\u2022 Satellite imagery is worldwide and not just within the United States.
\u2022 User interface is state-of-the-art with easy-to-use filters.<\/td>		\u2022 Landsat, Sentinel-2, and land cover.
\u2022 Digital Elevation Models such as NASA\u2019s ASTER and SRTM.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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3. OpenStreetMap<\/h3>\n\n\n