Spatial data are data with locational attributes such as latitude and longitude. The addition of a locational attribute to a data set lets you make a map of the data and analyze its spatial relationships such as determining if observations taken close together are more similar than observations taken far apart.

Use the sites listed below to find spatial data sets that best meet your needs. The geospatial metadata records provide

• basic information about the data such as the title and currentness,
• the positional and attribute accuracy,
• the spatial reference system such as the map projection and datums,
• a description of the features contained in the data set and the feature values,
• information about how to obtain the data set.

For more in depth information regarding “what are metadata,” visit the Federal Geographic Data Committee Metadata web site.

A majority of the data sets described in these metadata databases are available online. Some data providers have web-based map tools so you can see the data online. However, you will need software designed to work with geospatial data called geographic information systems (GIS) to work with most of the data sets you will find described in the metadata catalogs.