Latitude+Longitude Map Downloads
This page gives access to a small library of ready-to-use maps for DMAP. This page also gives access to other Web sites where digitized map data files can be downloaded. The files downloaded from these other Web sites will need to be converted to DMAP BDY format using the utility program DAT2BDY which is available for download at the Add-on Utilities page of the DMAP Web site.
DMAP map files currently available for direct download:
A small number of ready-to-use maps are available for download. If these maps suit your needs in terms of area and quality, you can use them as supplied. If, however, they are not suitable, you should obtain a map by using one of the other download facilities made available on this page.
Installation:
The downloaded EXE files are self-extracting compressed files. After downloading, simply double-click on the file name in File Manager or Explorer and it will expand to give the corresponding BDY and PAR files. To install the files in DMAP, follow the instructions given in the DMAP Help topic Setting up a new File Group.
As supplied, the Map Parameters are set very wide to cover a large area. After installing the map files in a DMAP File Group, it is suggested that you adjust the Map Parameters (including the Aspect Ratio) to display the coverage which you require.
United States Geological Survey Coastline Extractor:
Three world-coverage datasets are available plus a more detailed dataset for the United States. The datasets vary in the amount of detail given and, depending on the size and complexity of your area of interest, you may need to degrade the resolution. This can be done via the utility program (DAT2BDY) which converts the extracted data files to DMAP BDY format. This utility program can be downloaded at the Add-on Utilities page.
Below are some comments about each of the world-coverage datasets available:
- World Coast Line (WCL) (1:5,000,000)
- Coarse resolution. OK for groups of countries but too coarse for individual countries. Coastlines only.
- World Data Bank II (WDB II) (1:2,000,000)
- A particularly useful dataset. Plenty of detail for whole countries and groups of countries. Resolution may need to be degraded to avoid inordinate plotting times in DMAP. Coastlines, political boundaries and rivers available.
- World Vector Shoreline (WVS) (1:250,000)
- Very detailed and suitable for mapping areas within countries but probably too detailed for mapping whole countries. Coastlines and political boundaries available.
NOTE:
- Files should be downloaded in MAPGEN format.
- After selecting your area, you will get a message like:
Here is the coastline data you extracted: 9830.dat
To download the map data to your computer, right-click on the file name link (9830.dat) and from the pop-up menu left-click on 'Save Target As...' or 'Save Link As...'.
- After downloading the DAT file, you will need to convert it to DMAP BDY format using the utility program (DAT2BDY) which can be downloaded at the Add-on Utilities page.
Digital Chart of the World Data Server:
The dataset available here is the Digital Chart of the World (DCW) (1:1,000,000) made available by the Pennsylvania State University for selected areas of the world. The map data for each area is geographically isolated from its surrounding area, in contrast to the USGS Coastline Eaxtractor files which contain data for the complete bounding rectangle. The data are available in two formats, either of which can be converted to DMAP BDY format using the utility program (DAT2BDY) which can be downloaded at the Add-on Utilities page.
After selecting the area you require, you will be confronted with a choice of 3 buttons for retrieving the data. One of these buttons only produces an image and should be ignored. The other two buttons produce digitized map data, as follows:
1. Download Data button: ARC/INFO export file format (.e00)
Separate data files are available for a range of features including: Political, Ocean, Drainage, Hypsography, Roads and Railways. When downloading, you should note the following points:
- Network, Line and Polygon data can be converted to DMAP format, but not Point data.
- For Data Compression Type, you should select 'PC/NT'.
- For Optional ArcView Projects, you should select 'NONE'.
2. Download Points button: Polygon Point format (.txt)
Coastlines and political boundaries only, but the data are in the form of complete polygons.
The GIS Data Depot:
A similar facility to the Digital Chart of the World Data Server described above, but there may be some additional datasets here. Much of the data are available in ARC/INFO export file format (.e00) and can be converted to DMAP BDY format using the utility program (DAT2BDY) which can be downloaded at the Add-on Utilities page.
U.S. Census Bureau - Cartographic Boundary Files:
An extremely useful site for a wide variety of digitital map data for the USA, including County boundaries. The data are available in ARC/INFO export file format (.e00) which can be converted to DMAP BDY format using the utility program (DAT2BDY) which can be downloaded at the Add-on Utilities page.
Utility program to convert the downloaded files to DMAP BDY format:
Digitized map data files downloaded from The USGS Coastline Extractor, PSU DCW Data Server, and the GIS Data Depot will need to be converted to DMAP BDY format. This conversion can be done by a utility program (DAT2BDY) which can be downloaded at the Add-on Utilities page of the DMAP Web site.
Comments about these facilities are invited and can be sent to Alan Morton
