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USGS Node of the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse

The USGS node of the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse is a component of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). It provides a pathway to find information about geospatial or spatially referenced data available from USGS.

The USGS node actually encompasses a distributed set of sites organized on the basis of the USGS's four principal data themes. The first, Geography, offers the familiar USGS topographic maps and other geographic products that have long been associated with USGS. These products typically are of general use across many disciplines for basemaps and other purposes. As Geographic Information Systems have come to play an increasingly important role in science, however, the biology, geology, and water disciplines also have produced important geographic data sets related to their themes. These thematic products are best found by discipline.

Discipline Resources Available
Geography Here, you will find links to, the National Map, topographic maps, orthophoto quadrangles, geographic names, satellite imagery and photo archives, and many other mapping products in digital and paper forms.
Biology The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) links diverse, high-quality biological databases, information products, and analytical tools maintained by NBII partners and other contributors in government agencies, academic institutions, non-government organizations, and private industry.
Geology The Geoscience Data Catalog contains metadata on more than 1,100 earth science data products produced by USGS.
Water Hydrologic unit maps and the National Hydrography Data Set probably are the best-known spatial products for water. This site also contains links to more than 150 other data sets on topics such as aquifer characteristics, evapotransporation, climate, and agricultural chemical usage.

Searching for Data

You can also search for data sets using the FGDC Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse lists more than 260 "nodes" serving spatial metadata. The FGDC search allows you to query all nodes, or to limit your search to particular nodes. The principal nodes serving metadata directly from USGS are listed below. Many other nodes provide USGS metadata through our partners.

Obtaining Data

Once you find a data set you want, we strongly recommend that you examine the metadata files associated with the data set. The metadata often provides important information for using the data set.

Some data sets are available online at no cost. For others, you may need to set up an account to pay a distribution fee. Some data sets are not online and you will be instructed how to order a compact disk or a tape. USGS data sets also are available through many business partners.

Viewing Data

Many data sets now are viewable through on-line applications. USGS digital data products are designed to be read and used by geographic information systems (GIS), image processing systems, or similar computer applications. If you are not using one of the on-line applications, then you will need to obtain appropriate software from commercial or other sources in order to use any geospatial data that you purchase or download from the USGS. More information about geographic information systems can be obtained from the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis.