Progress Map of Global Mapping

Summary of Global Map

What is a Global Map?

Digital geographic information in 1 km resolution covering the earth's surface with standardized specifications and available to everyone at marginal cost.

How Many Layers are there in a Global Map?

Global Map data have 8 layers: Boundaries, Drainage, Transportation, Population Centers, Elevation, Land Cover, Land Use, and Vegetation.

How is a Global Map produced?

Under international corporation, data are produced mainly by National Mapping Organizations participating in Global Mapping project.

How is a Global Map used for?

To protect the global environment in the 21st century, the Global Map is useful for global change monitoring and environmental analysis.

Background of a Global Map project

The Ministry of Construction of Japan (present Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) proposed “Global Mapping Project.” This is for contribution to global environmental conservation from mapping sector, in response to “Agenda21” adopted at the “Earth Summit” in 1992.

Prospect for the future

ISCGM aims to complete the development of the Global Map for the whole land area of the globe by 2007. After the completion, the data are to be updated at intervals of approximately five years.