Use Content on the Geography Network Canada

Most Geography Network Canada content can be used with one of two tools: a standard Web browser or a GIS software package. Web browsers can be used to access content such as map services, solutions, and clearinghouses. Other content, including map data files and data services, require GIS software to be fully utilized.

Below is a summary of how Geography Network Canada content types can be used:

Map Services

Map services can be used with both Web browser and GIS software applications. Web users can access map services using the Geography Network Canada Explorer by selecting the View Map option. The Explorer includes a mapping application that allows users to pan and zoom on map services as well as generate printable maps with legends. The Explorer can be used to display both ArcIMS and WMS map services (refer to Geography Network Content for more information on map services).


Click 'View Map' Option


Navigate Map Service

GIS Users can access ArcIMS map services using software tools such as ESRI's ArcGIS and ArcExplorer-Java Edition. Both ArcView and ArcExplorer-Java Edition include links to add map services directly from the Geography Network. These links launch a customized version of the Geography Network Explorer that can be used to find map service. Once an appropriate map service is found, the user can click the Add to ArcMap or Add to ArcExplorer button to add the map service to the map view. Users can integrate multiple map services, by using the image transparency options, as well as integrating local data with the map services.


Canadian Ecozones Map Service
Displayed in ArcView


Canada's Physical Environment Image Service
In ArcExplorer

Data Services

Data services are intended to support GIS users. Data services enable users to perform a custom download of the digital data they are viewing to access locally with GIS software, such as ArcExplorer. The Geography Network Canada site contains a list of data services that can be accessed through the Geography Network Canada Explorer. To download data from a data service, first access the data service through the Explorer and then display a map of the area of interest. To download the digital data for this map, click the Download button on the Explorer toolbar and select the layers to be downloaded. The data will be provided in a compressed shapefile format that can be used with GIS software such as ESRI's ArcView and ArcExplorer.

Solutions

Solutions are intended to be accessed by Web users. A solution is an online application built using Geography Network Canada content or other Internet hosted data. The application includes a complete user interface and set of geographic content needed to perform one or more tasks. The Geography Network Canada site contains a list of solutions that can be accessed through a Web browser.

Map Data Files

Map data files are intended to be used with GIS software. Map data can be presented in vector format (e.g., shapefile, coverage, DBF) or raster format (e.g., TIF, MrSID, JPG). The Geography Network Canada contains links to scores of map data files that can be accessed through your Web browser. Users can find these files by searching for this type of content in the Geography Network Canada Explorer.

Map Image

Files Map image files may be used with Web browsers, GIS software, or other graphics programs depending on the format of the image. A map image file is a finished map that is presented in any static graphics format (e.g., GIF, TIF, BMP, MrSID). The Geography Network Canada contains links to numerous map image files that can be downloaded through your Web browser. Users can find these files by searching for this type of content in the Geography Network Canada Explorer.

Clearinghouses

Clearinghouses are intended to support GIS users. A clearinghouse is a Web site that contains references and links to a variety of free geographic data. Many clearinghouses offer geographic data for download while other sites include metadata references or hyperlinks to data sets that may be acquired through other mechanisms. The Geography Network Canada site contains a list of clearinghouses that can be accessed through a Web browser.