VMap0 (Digital Chart of the World)
Temporal coverage or Last update: [1991-1992]
Scale or Spatial resolution: 1:1,000,000
Download link: http://gis-lab.info/qa/vmap0-eng.html
Abstract: VMap0 data are relatively new vector dataset which represents a next version of widely used Digital Chart of the World (DCW) dataset.
Global VMap0 dataset is distributed in original VPF format and available through National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency website. This page allows to download exact replica of VMap0 in ESRI shape format. The dataset is in public domain with the exception of Boundaries Coverage and the Reference Library layers that are copyrighted by ESRI (allowed use limitations are unknown, so the layers are still published here as in source VPFs).
The Digital Chart of the World (DCW) is an Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) product originally developed for the US Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) using DMA data. The DCW 1993 version at 1:1,000,000 scale was used. The DMA data sources are aeronautical charts, which emphasize landmarks important from flying altitudes. This explains why there is a separate aeronautical theme with all conceivable airports, yet why on some themes small islands and lakes are simply unnamed points. ESRI, in compiling the DCW, also eliminated some detail and made some assumptions for handling tiny polygons and edgematching. Also, note that the completeness of the thematic categories present in each layer will vary.
Digital Chart of the World thematic layers are:
- Political/Ocean (country boundaries)
- Populated Places (urbanized areas and points)
- Aeronautical Structures
- Utilities (electrical, telephone, pipelines)
- Transportational Structure
