Database with extensive links to government agencies with data sets on the themes of agriculture, environment, chemistry, climate, biodiversity, economy, society, geography, history for the UK and specifically Scotland. Data is in a variety of formats.
Geocommunity has free, downloadable data in the areas of administrative, political boundaries, DEMs, geologic, hydrography, land use/land cover, place name gazetteer, transportation, and utilities. This data can be found at the national level. Use the LCENVS account.
This database contains GIS data for natural spaces in Scotland, Wales, and England. This database contains data regarding vegetation, land use, and conservation efforts. Use LCENVS account in order to download data. Data downloaded for free in the ESRI shapefile.
Basic but useful data for all countries, plus links to climate, species, elevation, and satellite data, all downloadable for free in ESRI shapefile format (also for use with their DIVA-GIS software). (Jim Proctor, October 2009)
"Natural Earth is a public domain map dataset available at 1:10m, 1:50m, and 1:110 million scales. Featuring tightly integrated vector and raster data, with Natural Earth you can make a variety of visually pleasing, well-crafted maps with GIS software"
All files associated with draft 2006 Environmental Performance Index, for which data available via ENVS GIS server. From site: "By identifying specific targets for environmental performance and measuring how close each country comes to these established goals, the Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) provides benchmarks for current national pollution control and natural resource management results. The issue-by-issue and aggregate rankings facilitate cross-country comparisons both globally and within relevant peer groups.…The EPI centers on two broad environmental protection objectives: (1) reducing environmental stresses on human health and (2) protecting ecosystem vitality." | GIS_Data>ENVSData>Other_Sites>Global>Global_EPI>CNTRY_EPI_joined (Jim Proctor, Fall 2008).
"Quantum GIS is an open-source GIS system that provides a continously growing number of capabilities provided by core functions and plugins. You can visualize, manage, edit, analyse data, and compose printable maps." (Peter Vidito, Summer 2010)
"Wiki.GIS.com is a resource for all GIS-related information. Wiki.GIS.com seeks to involve the visitor or contributor in an ongoing process of creation and collaboration. Any content that is contributed to wiki.GIS.com should be thought of as a work in progress. This wiki site is meant to be a repository for all terms and any content that is related to GIS. Anyone can add pages, make edits, or contribute at whatever level deemed necessary. This allows wiki.GIS.com to remain full of fresh and updated information concerning the world of GIS." (Peter Vidito, Summer 2010)
"Indiemapper is a Web-based app that loads geo-data, allows custom control over mapmaking, and exports static maps in vector and raster formats." (Peter Vidito, Summer 2010)
"Maps on a Stick is a self-contained mapping tool that can be distributed on USB sticks or any other portable media and deployed without an internet connection. It provides a simple way to view KML layers on top of a base map." (Peter Vidito, Summer 2010)
"GIS Cloud is world's first full featured web based Geographic Information System (GIS) powered by Cloud Computing with advanced capability of creating, editing, uploading, sharing, publishing, processing and analyzing geospatial and attribute data."
"Cartography 2.0 is a free online knowledge base and e-textbook for students and professionals interested in interactive and animated maps. Here, we've distilled what we know into an open online resource and share our experiences making digital and web-based maps." (Peter Vidito, Summer 2010)
A catalog containing hundreds of WMS servers; WMS URL is linked to each.. A bit difficult to browse, but a lot of good layers for sites in the US and abroad. New list at OGC-Services.NET appears to be incomplete. (Jim P., July 2009)
National Geophysical Data Center WMS (and other format) themes, generally with global extent (some restricted to U.S.). WMS URL is easy to obtain by clicking "wms" button next to each theme. (Jim P., July 2009)
Over 1000 WMS themes, most restricted to the U.S. (many for specific counties) but some international. The WMS URL is plainly given for each theme. (Jim P., July 2009)
PDF file describing data used for the 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index, including overview of all variables, measurement information, and summaries by country. From site: "The 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index benchmarks the ability of nation to protect the environment over the next several decades. It does so by integrating 76 data sets -tracking natural resource endowments, past and present pollution levels, environmental management efforts, and a society's capacity to improve its environmental performance -into 21 indicators of environmental sustainability." | GIS_Data>ENVSData>Other_Sites>Global>Global_ESI>CNTRY02_ESI05 (Jim Proctor Fall 2008)
Website providing background on 2005 EVI; useful to interpret GIS data. From site: "A vulnerability index for the natural environment, the basis of all human welfare, has been developed by the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and their partners. The index was developed through consultation and collaboration with countries, institutions and experts across the globe. This index is designed to be used with economic and social vulnerability indices to provide insights into the processes that can negatively influence the sustainable development of countries." | GIS_Data>ENVSData>Other_Sites>Global>Global_EVI>CNTRY_02_EVI_04 (Jim Proctor, Fall 2008).